Architectural firm Hyunje Joo_Baukunst added 1,500 semi-transparent plastic baskets to create a flexible façade for a building in Korea, minimising the separation between interior and exterior.

The perforated baskets are added to create a flexible façade for the Naju Art Museum in Korea, rather than a fixed wall. They are made of lightweight, semi-transparent plastic, diffusing harsh sunlight and silhouettes. Over time, the surface changes due to the interreflection and reflection of the material.

To be as ecologically efficient as possible, the firm intends to repurpose the baskets once the building is demolished.

Using materials from other sectors can lead to interesting innovations, which we like to encourage. However, safety should always come first. While the façade is definitely interesting, plastic burns quite easily, unless fire retardants are added. Nothing about the fireproofness of the baskets is mentioned, leaving one to wonder if the façade is a likely fire hazard.

Photos: Hyunje Joo_Baukunst