The Hearth

Haris Michaelides, Jiefei Ma, Dries Dupré

---

The Hearth

The main design ambition and the principle of this project are based on the idea of gathering, collectiveness, and people coming together to enjoy a moment. We drew inspiration from the fast rhythms of the city and the temporariness of our surroundings, therefore we aimed for something that gives us the flexibility of assembling and dissembling which will also complement and highlight the oven as the main feature of the entire site.
The oven is the centerpiece of the whole experience, consequently, the proposal has a authentic value in comparison to the industrial feeling of the scaffolding. It is well-rooted to the history of the hearth. However, it is not just a source of warmth or light. People can also engage with it. The pizza-making process will take place around it, while visitors are chilling on the integrated benches, laying on hammocks, riding a swing, and observing the culinary procedure.
Furthermore, to give it some intimacy, space definition and soften the harshness of the scaffolding, we wrapped coloured polyvinyl chloride sheets on the scaffolding to provide some roof for shading and playfulness.