Everyday we interact with the environment around us and certain designers aim to disrupt our daily occurrences by providing something unexpected. They aim to educate us of not only our surroundings but also of how our society works. Take a look at how these designers have altered our perception of everyday items, by turning a phone book into a microlibrary, a science museum into a playground, and more.

Gallery of Mathematics

When many hear the word ‘Math’ they’ll have an instinctual cringe. Zaha Hadid Architects' wanted to eliminate that feeling by creating a Mathematics Gallery that features a collection of objects in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The goal of each of the exhibits is to demonstrate to individuals how mathematics impacts the world, from trade, to travel, to architectural form.

'Beach'

Nearly one million clear, recyclable balls were used to create this 'Beach' by Snarkitecture. Upon entering the exhibit, individuals were exposed to a sea of translucent balls and a shoreline with lounge chairs and umbrellas. The unusual installation was housed in The National Building Museum in Washington DC and according to the Museum's Executive director, Chase W. Rynd "it offers us the opportunity to question our own expectations of the built environment and see where pushing the boundaries can take us." said The museum's executive director, Chase W Rynd.

A Gentle Collapsing II - Alex Hartley

The "A Gentle Collapsing II" exhibit by Alex Hartley shown above was intended to show a situation of ambiguous cause and uncertain outcome. Upon further inspection with the installation, Victoria Miro says the exhibit "becomes a kind of time machine that frees the mind to wander, gently collapsing or dislocating a sense of linear time as it does so." 

'Library'

With the increasing use of cellphones, phone booths have slowly lost their purpose. Instead of having it removed from the village in Little Shelford, someone has decided to transform the traditional telephone booth into a community book sharing library. The "library" is available to anyone and is an example of how individuals can come together at an otherwise lost shared public space.  

The Science Museum

Inside London's Science Museum is an interactive gallery that is designed to encourage experimentation. There are over 50 different models and objects in the museum including an oak tree adorned with magnets, material zones (areas that are dedicated to experimentation with a specific material), a fully functioning laboratory and more. The layout of the museum is reminiscent of a playground which further challenges the guest to interact with everything on display. 

From the Knees of my Nose to the Belly of my Toes

This installation titled From the Knees of my Nose to the Belly of my Toes by Alex Chinneck aimed to challenge the perceptions of others. The home located on Godwin Road in the Cliftonville area of the town was previously decomposing since the local council had yet to restore it for social housing. So instead of leaving it damaged, his intervention created delight for the surrounding residents and inspired regeneration for other projects that were otherwise left abandoned.  

Inspired to make an installation piece that educates and alters perception? Search 'fountains' on CADdetails.com to discover an abundance of fountains that you can turn into a garden, planter, or small pond! 

Sources: Deezen, Snarkitecture, Little Shelford  cover image © Wikipedia Commons