It is not common perception that barcodes are a source of architectural inspiration, so when you find out that there are many buildings that emulate giant barcodes, it is quite surprising to say the least. However, if there is one design that is unparalleled when it comes to a combination of the recognisable and useful, it would be the barcode. As barcode enthusiasts would say – and I now know that they actually exist because of the premise of this article – the numbers (and patterns) never lie. Here’s our top 5 barcode inspired buildings.
Barcode Building, Netherlands
This is the rather aptly named ‘Barcode building’. It was completed in the city of Middleburg, The Netherlands. The architects responsible were told to create something that was both modern, and representative of an environmentally friendly initiative. The juxtaposition of a lake and an eye-sore does make one wonder if this is a reference to humanity killing everything natural in the world. However, not everything is so black and white, and it’s likely that a concrete monstrosity had to be built here one way or another, barcode or not.
Shtrikh Kod, Russia
‘Shtrikh Kod’ translates into ‘barcode building’ in Russian, which needlessly to say replicates the numerical and vertical design we see on everything we buy. Completed in 2007, the building designed by Vitruvios & sons Studio is reminiscent of the colour of a laser…ah ha! I see what you’ve done there.
Melbourne Theosophical Society, Australia
Melbourne is a city teeming with some of the most creative people in the world. Every back alley, dust bin is tagged with street art. Often, they are just a ‘grab your attention for a split second’’ pieces that will leave you wondering about its purpose for a minute. Sometimes there just isn’t one. In this case, you just have an eye catching barcode that can never be scanned. And you thought your existence was worthless.
Recall Information Centre, Australia
And here we have an archive for corporate records storage warehouse. With almost four and a half million boxes, you can imagine designer of this building Thierry Lacoste brainstorming. “something spacey…must resemble a barcode.” 21,000 square meters of steel cladding, here you have this rousing establishment.
Barcode Halls, China
When I imagine Shanghai, the most efficient and progressive technology controlled city the planet has ever seen, I imagine looming buildings connected by sky portals. Whether this high concept barcode design will actually come to fruition or not is another matter, as it is not due to be erected until 2020.
