Volido Corp.’s “Defensive Dune”

I came across the above formal object the other day by Volido Corp., architecture firm based out of Lower Manhattan. If you’re curious…

The above object is seemingly harmless — a smooth surface, a slight angle. The images suggest it is made of concrete. However, in reading the description of the project, I was struck by the object’s purpose: “Landscape element of 1.5 tones [sic] of concrete is designed to stop a car bomb attack in lobbies,commercial centers and government buildings. With a continuous slope, one piece engages with the next, allowing the piece to be walked on, or to be used like a comfortable chaise lounge in the park or provide sitting at launch [sic?] time…” Not sure if that last part is a linguistic error, or actually referring to observing the bomb launch from the plaza…

I just want to take a moment to challenge the purpose of this thing. In all honesty, if you are determined enough to bomb a hotel lobby, you are probably going to be able to get over these things in your SUV.

But, regardless, I really like the way that this project is engages architecture with preventing terrorism. In a sense, architecture has an opportunity to also “manage” counter-terrorist efforts and I would wonder if any other projects engage this topic as well. 

Further Listening: My jam this summer, so good. [MP3]

-C.S.