Architecture

Shipping container transformed into "world's biggest" periscope

Shipping container transformed into "world's biggest" periscope
Superiscopio was designed by Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados
Superiscopio was designed by Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados
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Superiscopio was designed by Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados
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Superiscopio was designed by Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados
Superiscopio is located in Lagoa Santa, Brazil
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Superiscopio is located in Lagoa Santa, Brazil
Superiscopio provides a view over buildings
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Superiscopio provides a view over buildings
Superiscopio is 12.5-m (41-ft) tall
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Superiscopio is 12.5-m (41-ft) tall
The Superiscopio container stands on one of its 290 x 245 cm (9.5 x 8 ft) ends
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The Superiscopio container stands on one of its 290 x 245 cm (9.5 x 8 ft) ends
Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados describes a shipping container as being like a "ready-made periscope"
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Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados describes a shipping container as being like a "ready-made periscope"
Mirrors are mounted inside Superiscopio using a wooden framework
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Mirrors are mounted inside Superiscopio using a wooden framework
A rectangular hole at the bottom of the of the container's front is where visitors look into
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A rectangular hole at the bottom of the of the container's front is where visitors look into
Superiscopio provides a view over nearby buildings to the Lagoa Santa lagoon
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Superiscopio provides a view over nearby buildings to the Lagoa Santa lagoon
Superiscopio provides views of the Lagoa Santa lagoon
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Superiscopio provides views of the Lagoa Santa lagoon
Mirrors are mounted inside Superiscopio using a wooden framework
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Mirrors are mounted inside Superiscopio using a wooden framework
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Residents of Lagoa Santa in Brazil will no longer have to crane their necks for views of the area's lagoon. Instead they can simply look into a huge periscope made from a shipping container. At 12.5-m (41-ft) tall, Superiscopio is claimed to be the biggest periscope in the world.

The installation was built for a container architecture event in the center of the city. Architects were invited to redesign the interiors of containers, for example as living rooms or restaurants. Architect Pedro Barata, however, explains to Gizmag that he saw the potential for upending a container for use as a periscope.

The Superiscopio container stands on one of its 290 x 245 cm (9.5 x 8 ft) ends
The Superiscopio container stands on one of its 290 x 245 cm (9.5 x 8 ft) ends

Designed by his firm, Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados, the container stands on one of its 290 x 245 cm (9.5 x 8 ft) ends. Rectangular holes have been cut out of the bottom of its front and at the top of its rear and mirrors mounted inside using a wooden framework.

Superiscopio has been positioned to provide visitors with views over the Lagoa Santa lagoon. The design and build took just over a month at a cost of €5,000 (US$5,580). It was initially due to remain in place until November, but will now stay at its location indefinitely.

Source: Pedro Barata e Arquitetos Associados

View gallery - 11 images
3 comments
3 comments
Mous
sure, nice status symbol, but what happens when the neighbors all get them too? They keep getting taller & taller.
DomainRider
Great idea, but a pity they used such a poor mirror...
Nik
Wouldn't a video camera and a large screen, solar powered, have been simpler and cheaper?