Plexwood®-Skins, by Frank Heerema
Continuing Spaces—Connecting Skins Since the development of Ancient Egyptian architecture more than 7000 years ago, architecture remained recognizable for centuries. Globalization caused architectural fundamentals to become more and more interchangeable. Which unique, national characteristics and sentiments can we therefore still discover in architecture today? Graphic patterns, principle shapes and rhythms in music and dance which evolved over the course of the past centuries can often be recognized as being of for instance Western, Arab, Asian and African origin. They allow for an endless source of associative inspiration, retaining a national identity within global architecture. The installation Continuing Spaces—Conecting Skins is composed of four separate cubes placed in an upward formation, reflecting a tensive crossroads between the possible and the impossible within the scope of architecture. The design entertains the possibility of realization on a sculptural, architectural and urban management scale. The cubes display transformations of Western, Arab, Asian and African patterns, specially developed for this Venice Architecture Biennale. The heart of the installation includes two mirroring surfaces that reflect a symbiosis between human and environment and the sculpture Continuing Spaces—Connecting Skins. Frank Heerema operates as an independent architect and over the past years has employed himself with developing techniques to
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reform small-scale artisanal techniques such as marquetry and parquetry into efficient industrial processes using modern techniques to manufacture contiguous surfaces. Thanks to Plexwood®-Skins the possibilities of this concept are endless and can be applied integrally, on every scale and in every direction.