What appears to be an open tunnel beneath a bridge in northern Spain is in fact a concealed passageway, screened behind a secret mirror.
Local studio VAV Architects temporarily installed the mirror inside the doorway to a passageway that burrows through the base of the river-spanning bridge.
A slither of daylight passes around the edges of the mirror into the tunnel, creating an illuminated outline around the reflected view.
The true view is revealed when the mirror is revolved around a central pivot.
Other recent projects on Dezeen to feature mirrors are a shop with a central photography studio and a garden filled with a maze of grey brick arches - see all our stories featuring mirrors here.
Photography is by VAV and Miquel Merce.
Heres a short project description from VAV Architects:
Mirror lab
The idea of exploring the mirror for the installation has grown from the desire to capture, explore and experiment with the landscape, rather than the built form.
The project itself is not important on it's own, as much as is its relationship with the site.
The mirror lab is merely a tool to explore and capture the views of the existing and by doing so it becomes invisible, completely dissolving into the landscape. A simple insertion into the bridge, solely supported by the two points, mirror lab adds a new dimension to the site, both inside the arc, by doubling and inverting the space, and outside, by capturing and framing the views.
Pivoting through the centre, the door allows the visitors to interact with and become part of the installation, immersing themselves into and exploring both the real and the reflected landscapes.
Place: Bridge de Sant Roc, Olot, Spain
Material: bridge, mirror, timber, plywood, landscape
Function: gate
Time: 5 days
This is haunting and amazing work. Well done!
This looks like fun!
Reminds me of Indiana Jones movies :)
I would be the kind of person running to the mirror and breaking my nose…
Really inspiring though !
i don't think you would run against the mirror unless you are a Vampire… It's a mirror not a glass ;)
So magic the idea of enclosing a secret space with a mirror – like – gate. It really keeps some kind of mystery around the monument! Great job well done!
i like this part "completely dissolved into the landscape. if this was installed in an artificial environment, it wouldn't be so interesting like now. I love it!!!
The illusion of reality is barely broken at the edge of the mirror. Great photos!!
Cyber Space in Architecture!!!
Is the photographer a vampire?
The only reason the illusion works is thanks to photoshop. Otherwise, you will always see yourself in the tunnel looking at your own reflection.
And it revolves!
Reminds me of Dungeons & dragons…