British-Nigerian Yinka Ilori presents the Colorama Skatepark, a new project created in Roubaix, France, as part of Lille’s World Capital of Design 2020. Sport and street art merge in this characteristically colourful space, featuring modular artworks which serve as the structure for the space.
The skatepark by Ilori is part of cultural centre La Condition Publique, a creative laboratory in Roubaix merging art, urbanism and environmental sustainability. It takes over ‘Halle B’, a 1550 m² area inside a 20th century warehouse renovated by French architect Patrick Bouchain in 2004, and previously used for exhibitions and events. The institution’s brief was simple: to bring together different audiences and create a space that's inclusive.
‘Skateboarding is a unique art form on its own,’ says Ilori. ‘It's performative: there's an audience, you’re doing tricks. So there is that element of display and flamboyancy - it's quite a big thing to watch.’ The designer learned from a team of professional skateboarders, working closely with them for guidance throughout the process, which often made him reconsider his design choices.
‘I think as designers, we have to understand that sometimes we're not designing only for ourselves, but for the people,’ he says. ‘This was quite a collaborative process, which I'm really grateful for.’
‘I guess the takeaway for me is, never underestimate the power of the community, and of people coming together to play.’
Ilori’s design features different modules including ramps, partitions and blocks, and integrated the newly designed elements within the existing space through colour. The modules, as well as the structural columns and brick walls were painted in a tonal palette featuring pops of gold and fluorescent hues combined with earthy shades. The design was in part inspired by the building’s 19th century façade, characterised by lacquered tiles that Ilori recreated as a motif on the walls.
‘I wanted to create a space that is joyful and inclusive, and that allows room for stories to be told and created. That’s why I use colour, to create memories,’ he continues. For the designer, it was important to create a space that would become a pillar of the community, a safe space for local children: ‘skateboarding is not only about skating, but it's also about being part of a community, it's also being part of a family,’ he says.
Further cementing the skatepark’s role in Roubaix, two classes from the local high school took part in the project’s construction, and the park also offered an opportunity for youth employment, with new ad-hoc apprenticeship positions. ‘The kids came down to help us build and paint as well, it was great to get their input as well and I think there are also future designers and makers here,’ adds Ilori. ‘I guess the takeaway for me is, never underestimate the power of the community, and of people coming together to play.’
Ilori used his characteristic chromatic language for the skatepark's design, combining functional skateboarding elements and pops of colour
The designer also used the architectural elements from the building, using colour on columns and brick walls to define the skatepark
A detail of Ilori’s design featured a rich chromatic palette
On the walls, the designer recreated some of the elements from the building's original façade
INFORMATION
yinkailori.com
laconditionpublique.com
ADDRESS
14 Place du Général Faidherbe
59100 Roubaix
France
-
Utilitarian men’s fashion that will elevate your everydayFrom Prada to Margaret Howell, utilitarian and workwear-inspired men’s fashion gets an upgrade for S/S 2024
-
Gerhard Richter unveils new sculpture at Serpentine SouthGerhard Richter revisits themes of pattern and repetition in ‘Strip-Tower’ at London’s Serpentine South
-
Vipp’s Scandinavian guesthouse offers a sleek setting amid a wild landscapeVipp Cold Hawaii is a Scandinavian guesthouse designed by architecture studio Hahn Lavsen in Denmark’s Thy National Park
-
The best gyms around the world for design buffs in 2018 -
Skate park design goes to the British seaside with Guy Hollaway’s F51F51 is Folkestone's brand new, dedicated, multistorey skate park, courtesy of the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust and Hollaway Studio
-
Community centre architecture redefined: Holborn House by 6a and Caragh Thuring opensHolborn House by 6a Architects and Caragh Thuring opens for the Holborn Community Association in London, bridging art and community architecture with people at its heart
-
Pink concrete skatepark is a striking urban landmark in the Chihuahuan DesertA team of architects, landscape designers, sociologists and urban planners came together to create La Duna, a fine example of skatepark architecture on the northern border of Mexico
-
Last chance to play: Yinka Ilori's colourful basketball court in Canary Wharf is a slam dunkArtist and designer Yinka Ilori applied his signature colourful geometries to his design for this new public basketball court in Canary Wharf, London
-
Building muscle: London architecture walks and runsTry these London architecture walks and runs for some physical and intellectual edification
-
Janne Tuunanen captures modernist architecture of renovated Helsinki Olympic StadiumPhotographer Janne Tuunanen captures the sharp modernist architecture of the recently renovated Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Finland in his latest series
-
Blaque makes space for Black people in the fitness and wellness industryBlaque founder T’Nisha Symone discusses the philosophy behind finding a gym designed to serve her local community
