Rest Stops by J. MAYER H. Architects
J. MAYER H. Architects have completed 2 of the 20 highway rest stops they are designing for the country of Georgia.
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Description from the architects:
The head of the Roads Department of Georgia commissioned J. MAYER H. to design a system of 20 rest stops for the new highway, a thoroughfare that will run through Georgia and serve as a connection between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey. Two rest stops are now complete, while a third is currently under construction. The new rest stops are located on selected scenic viewpoints along the route and serve as activators for their area and neighbouring cities, including not only nearby a gas stations and supermarket, but also a farmers market and a cultural space for local arts and crafts.
Visit the J. MAYER H. Architects website – here.
Photography by Jesko M. Johnsson-Zahn
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swampgas on 05 May 2012 at 4:44 pm #
While I can appreciate the attempt to reference the vernacular of highway infrastructure where is the REST part? This is a little too frenetic and looks like a pile up of overpasses.
Peter van der Veer on 05 May 2012 at 6:32 pm #
These prehistoric deposits are not perfect but they’re a step in the right direction – away from the current U.S. inspired blights hideously polluting our roadsides.
Hopefully, Georgia’s example will prompt original thought and inspire site specific design improvement everywhere else.
As the purpose of such buildings is self evident, there should never be any need for large external signage.
Patrovio Baligno on 06 May 2012 at 12:23 am #
It feels a little silly to me. I would prefer something more serious in this context.
paul koodravsev on 06 May 2012 at 1:39 am #
Looks like a tumour to me . I would sugest that it be given a CT scan or MRI scan if still not sure that its benign .
Otherwise if its cancerous of course you would expect it be excised and further chemotherapry applied to ensure that this tumour does not rise again .
But then again these east block countries were accustomed to the heroic and monumental soviet architecture for a long period of time.
And they are going to build 20 of these monstrocities .?? My god .! Heaven help the errr —– architect .
Arch Orange on 06 May 2012 at 4:55 am #
Form follows what?
Graham Roebeck on 06 May 2012 at 3:01 pm #
I agree with Peter, these are prehistoric megalithic forms reminiscent of the Flintstones. It’s playful (humourous not tumourous) architecture at it’s best, acknowledging that petra oleum (rock oil) is a fossil fuel.
Some new Italian fuel stops look like they came out of the Jetsons, which is an inappropriate metaphor for fossil fuels- no matter how stylish and appealing the modern design.
What was the parti- I wonder- a play on the corporate logo? A molecular arrangement of a carbon molecule? Exposed fossil bones? This is abstract architecture that is immediately accessible despite it’s challenging form.
This looks like an expensive structure, that could only be economic in reuse of the P/C panel formwork, so it appears the architect has worked to the brief, and should have a delighted client.
Bravo, I say. Or Yabbadabba…deux (times 10).
Andy D4 on 08 May 2012 at 2:26 am #
Undoubtedly a challenging structure and an interesting expression using form concrete. However it does seem to have many redundant points that lead nowhere. A simplification would have made it a more pleasing form however there is a danger that these rests become eyesores on the landscape.
Whea7 on 08 May 2012 at 6:13 am #
Alas, not in the Georgia I had hoped
giosulak on 10 May 2012 at 3:16 am #
Unfortunately there is no pinch of concrete in this megaliths. Tons of steel structure cladded with awful fiber-cement panels. And the execution is miserably done.
ilio on 10 May 2012 at 8:50 am #
It will be wonderful ruins in the future
Daniel Botelho on 14 May 2012 at 6:49 am #
Do we have any pictures of the interior?