October 2015 /// The Spying Balcony

OCTOBER 2015 COMPETITION

The Spying Balcony ///

Balconies provide access to the exterior for floors above ground level. Yet, because of the elevated position, balconies remain removed and partially hidden from the environment below. The default role on a balcony is as an observer, while those below automatically become the observed. How might the design of a balcony embrace this one-way interaction? How can a balcony maintain a prominent presence on the facade while simultaneously concealing an observer? What materials and forms would enhance the ability to track, record, and/or magnify the observed? What happens when balconies begin to spy?

Participants are asked to design balconies that protrude and are not completely flat to the facade. Submissions may be conceptual, technical, and/or artistic.

RESULTS ///

Top 6

Editor's Choice

Jonathan Gibb

Auckland, New Zealand

Alejandro Vega Tejada

Covarrubias, Spain

Claire He

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Masoud Mahboobullah

Doha, Qatar

Barbora Feriancová

Bratislava, Solvakia

Curtis Roth

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Surabhi Banerjee & Jash Soni

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

JURORS ///

Donna Mena

Brooklyn, New York, United States

B.Arch, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Firm:SLAB Architects

Oudyziea Aiz Samodra

South Kuta, Bali Island & Indonesia
B.Eng, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology
Firm: ARA Studio

Nathan L. Scrivo

San Diego, California, United States
B.Arch, Temple University
Firm: Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy

ENTRIES ///

37 Entries from 23 Countries

1ST

Jonathan Gibb

Auckland, New Zealand

JURY COMMENTS ///

"This entry proves that a balcony can be a place to observe even when it does not match the style of the building itself. This image represents balconies in an industrialist style that could realistically be implemented."

"Beautiful image and materiality. The telescopes within a telescope concept is well constructed and detailed. It makes me wonder how it is from inside the Spying Balcony."

2ND

Alejandro Vega Tejada

Covarrubias, Spain

JURY COMMENTS ///

"I am intrigued by the antique figure peering out, protected by the modern archer's battle station. Like the cover of a book, this elegant image conveys a whole narrative."

"Simple. Sleek. Elegant. Nice simple idea, but powerful in context. This object does not hide in its desire to scope people below and embraces its presence."

3RD

Claire He

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

JURY COMMENTS ///

"Imagine that there are other lifeforms out there who are always watching us. We are essentially research material to be observed. This entry expands the concept of a balcony into a broad definition as an object of observation."

"As many of the entries suggest, our devices have become the periscope to the outside world. This entry reveals the overarching concept beautifully... we are simultaneously the observers on the balcony and the observed down below."

TOP 6

Masoud Mahboobullah

Doha, Qatar

JURY COMMENTS ///

"A graphically appealing submission. Interesting integration of multiple architectural elements to create one cohesive scenario. The balcony's obvious presence does not shy away from its role, but instead embraces its sneaky demeanor. You have multiple areas to spy. You would never be caught!"

TOP 6

Barbora Feriancová

Bratislava, Solvakia

JURY COMMENTS ///

"This submission has a subtle story behind it and you learn about it the more you study the image. Clever presentation. I enjoy the switched roles where you are not experiencing the scenario as the observed, but as the observer. Makes you wonder what exactly is happening up above."

TOP 6

Curtis Roth

Columbus, Ohino, United States

JURY COMMENTS ///

"It is often said that in the digital era the internet is a window to the world. A small or large screen already acts as a 'balcony' for individual people to spy on others without limit."

Editor's Choice

Surabhi Banerjee & Jash Soni

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

EDITOR COMMENT ///

"This entry was chosen as Editor's Choice for its originality in addressing this month's brief. I enjoyed the dichotomy of a mechanism that is hidden in a collapsed position and extremely apparent when activated. The ability of the balcony to not only violate visual privacy, but actually physically trespass on another building is intriguing."