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2011 Skate the Planet Skateboard Blog Article
November 2011 Skateboard Blog Entry
- 11/9/11
- Skateable House Concept Makes Backyard Ramps Yesterday's News
In days gone by backyard ramps were the focal point of many local sessions. Anyone fortunate enough to have one was the hero of the neighborhood... and likely the recipient of lawsuits from neighbors. In today's world, the outdoor ramp sits idle through rain and snow. The skateboard house, however, is open for business day and night 24/7.
Architect Francois Perrin was approached by Vans founder, Pierre-André Senizergues, a former professional skateboarder who wanted a house in which every surface was skateable. I'm sure you can envision floors that sweep into walls with insane transition, but it didn't end there. EVERY surface was to be skateable! Built in seating, book shelves... well, the whole damn place did double duty as boxes, ledges and grindable terrain.
The idea grew around the idea of a "livable half-pipe". They weren't talking about bums slumbering under roll-out decks - they wanted to make a completely skateable house.
"We're not putting furniture into a skate ramp, and we're not bringing skate elements into a house. From the beginning, it's something designed as this hybrid structure. The challenge was finding that balance between both: being technically skateable but also being a house and livable."
Coming to the project with a skater's eye for architecture helped move the project along as skaters have a knack for recognizing the perfect outdoor structures for skating. The very thing that makes a skate spot a "skate spot" is what helped form the elements that went into creating a skateboard-ready house.
I'd love to hear more about the exterior... I'm pretty sure the roof has tons of skateable potential!
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