The Armada of Rouen occurs every five years. The installation developed by the Collectif Parenthèse provides a place for passersby to take the time to stop and admire some of the most beautiful boats in the world. The installation takes inspiration from maritime architecture, with wooden structures that allude to masts and sails that sit throughout the space.

Coloured triangles on the ground look like vibrant sailboats and create an enticing visual appeal for the area. The fabric sails that sit on the wooden 'masts' are inspired by triangular sails from Italy, Saudi Arabia and Bermuda. The graphics on the sails, imagined by Ne Rougissez Pas, take on vibrant depictions of maritime symbols and are interconnected by a mesh that provides shade.

At the foot of each ‘mast’ is an array of colourful furniture with changing shapes that provide deck chairs, benches, tables, lounges and event a stage. The space can be appropriated according to the needs of the people.

The project plans to have zero waste, and at the end of the event, the wood will be returned to companied in Rouen and the masts and sails will be stored for future events.

Via ArchDaily | Images © Alan Aubry