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Architecture

Gallery: Parasitic Architecture - building on, under or out of existing structures

By Rich Haridy
January 28, 2018
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From Malka Architecture comes a concept called Pont9 New Bridge. Referred to as a micro-city, the design is modular, mounted on scaffolding, and intended to sit on top of other urban spaces such as footbridges
Malka Architecture
The Green Exhibition House appeared in Rotterdam in 2001, designed as an experiment in assembling a prefabricated structure onto an existing building. In true parasitic fashion, the water pipes, sewage and electricity were all tapped from existing connections in the base building
Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten
The Green Exhibition House appeared in Rotterdam in 2001, designed as an experiment in assembling a prefabricated structure onto an existing building. In true parasitic fashion, the water pipes, sewage and electricity were all tapped from existing connections in the base building
Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten
The Green Exhibition House appeared in Rotterdam in 2001, designed as an experiment in assembling a prefabricated structure onto an existing building. In true parasitic fashion, the water pipes, sewage and electricity were all tapped from existing connections in the base building
Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten
Manifest Destiny, by artist Mark Reigelman, is a tiny cabin affixed to the side of a hotel in downtown San Francisco. Designed to envision the “romantic spirit of the Western myth”, this interesting structure positions itself as an compelling juxtaposition between the old and the new
Mark Reigelman
Manifest Destiny, by artist Mark Reigelman, is a tiny cabin affixed to the side of a hotel in downtown San Francisco. Designed to envision the “romantic spirit of the Western myth”, this interesting structure positions itself as an compelling juxtaposition between the old and the new
Mark Reigelman
Manifest Destiny, by artist Mark Reigelman, is a tiny cabin affixed to the side of a hotel in downtown San Francisco. Designed to envision the “romantic spirit of the Western myth”, this interesting structure positions itself as an compelling juxtaposition between the old and the new
Mark Reigelman
The Parasite office in Moscow from za bor architects utilizes the abandoned space between buildings to create a multistory office environment. The structure sits above the laneway between the buildings and resembles an organic growth seemingly joining up the two disparate buildings on either side
Peter Zaytsev
The Parasite office in Moscow from za bor architects utilizes the abandoned space between buildings to create a multistory office environment. The structure sits above the laneway between the buildings and resembles an organic growth seemingly joining up the two disparate buildings on either side
Peter Zaytsev
The Parasite office in Moscow from za bor architects utilizes the abandoned space between buildings to create a multistory office environment. The structure sits above the laneway between the buildings and resembles an organic growth seemingly joining up the two disparate buildings on either side
Peter Zaytsev
From Stefan Eberstadt the Rucksack House is a room that is suspended by steel cables designed to be attached to any existing facade
Claus Bach
From Stefan Eberstadt the Rucksack House is a room that is suspended by steel cables designed to be attached to any existing facade
Claus Bach
From Stefan Eberstadt the Rucksack House is a room that is suspended by steel cables designed to be attached to any existing facade
Claus Bach
This installation, called Stealth Shelters, sits between public and private property suggesting an in-between liminal space where those without a home to go to could find a safe place at night
Malka Architecture
This installation, called Stealth Shelters, sits between public and private property suggesting an in-between liminal space where those without a home to go to could find a safe place at night
Malka Architecture
This installation, called Stealth Shelters, sits between public and private property suggesting an in-between liminal space where those without a home to go to could find a safe place at night
Malka Architecture
This installation, called Stealth Shelters, sits between public and private property suggesting an in-between liminal space where those without a home to go to could find a safe place at night
Malka Architecture
From architects Project Orange comes this fascinating extension on top of an old Victorian industrial brick building. The new black roof literally cuts through the original shell with the parasite completely overwhelming its host
Project Orange
From architects Project Orange comes this fascinating extension on top of an old Victorian industrial brick building. The new black roof literally cuts through the original shell with the parasite completely overwhelming its host
Project Orange
From architects Project Orange comes this fascinating extension on top of an old Victorian industrial brick building. The new black roof literally cuts through the original shell with the parasite completely overwhelming its host
Project Orange
An elegant example of parasitic architecture this addition to a city building in Spain from Bailorull Architects is a clever way to stylishly expand the footprint of the structure in a thoroughly modern way
Landscapehall
An elegant example of parasitic architecture this addition to a city building in Spain from Bailorull Architects is a clever way to stylishly expand the footprint of the structure in a thoroughly modern way
Landscapehall
An elegant example of parasitic architecture this addition to a city building in Spain from Bailorull Architects is a clever way to stylishly expand the footprint of the structure in a thoroughly modern way
Landscapehall
Homes for the Homeless is a concept by James Furzer designed to supply pods that attach to the side of buildings in London and offer refuge to those that sleep on the streets
James Furzer
Homes for the Homeless is a concept by James Furzer designed to supply pods that attach to the side of buildings in London and offer refuge to those that sleep on the streets
James Furzer
This concept, from Panos Dragonas Christopoulou Architects, was designed to sit on top of an apartment block in Athens and act like a rustic tiny cabin akin to a rural retreat in an urban jungle
Panos Dragonas Christopoulou Architects
This concept, from Panos Dragonas Christopoulou Architects, was designed to sit on top of an apartment block in Athens and act like a rustic tiny cabin akin to a rural retreat in an urban jungle
Panos Dragonas Christopoulou Architects
This concept, from Panos Dragonas Christopoulou Architects, was designed to sit on top of an apartment block in Athens and act like a rustic tiny cabin akin to a rural retreat in an urban jungle
Panos Dragonas Christopoulou Architects
paraSITE by Michael Rakowitz is a perfect example of parasitic design, leeching off external ventilation systems to create warm inflatable structures for the homeless
Michael Rakowitz
paraSITE by Michael Rakowitz is a perfect example of parasitic design, leeching off external ventilation systems to create warm inflatable structures for the homeless
Michael Rakowitz
paraSITE by Michael Rakowitz is a perfect example of parasitic design, leeching off external ventilation systems to create warm inflatable structures for the homeless
Michael Rakowitz
Under a bridge in Spain, designer Fernando Abellanas built this whimsical shelter, called Hidden Studio, cleverly using the existing beams of the bridge to parasitically hang his new office space off
Fernando Abellanas
Under a bridge in Spain, designer Fernando Abellanas built this whimsical shelter, called Hidden Studio, cleverly using the existing beams of the bridge to parasitically hang his new office space off
Fernando Abellanas
Under a bridge in Spain, designer Fernando Abellanas built this whimsical shelter, called Hidden Studio, cleverly using the existing beams of the bridge to parasitically hang his new office space off
Fernando Abellanas
These 3D printed, honeycomb shaped pods from Framlab are a novel solution to what the studio suggests is idle space that can be hijacked and used to house the homeless
Framlab
These 3D printed, honeycomb shaped pods from Framlab are a novel solution to what the studio suggests is idle space that can be hijacked and used to house the homeless
Framlab
These 3D printed, honeycomb shaped pods from Framlab are a novel solution to what the studio suggests is idle space that can be hijacked and used to house the homeless
Framlab
From Malka Architecture comes a concept called Pont9 New Bridge. Referred to as a micro-city, the design is modular, mounted on scaffolding, and intended to sit on top of other urban spaces such as footbridges
Malka Architecture
From Malka Architecture comes a concept called Pont9 New Bridge. Referred to as a micro-city, the design is modular, mounted on scaffolding, and intended to sit on top of other urban spaces such as footbridges
Malka Architecture
From Malka Architecture comes a concept called Pont9 New Bridge. Referred to as a micro-city, the design is modular, mounted on scaffolding, and intended to sit on top of other urban spaces such as footbridges
Malka Architecture
Zalewski Architecture Group devised this concept as a way to add inspiration to buildings that have uninteresting, often concrete filled, enclosed courtyards. Called ‘Balcony’ the design suggests a green walkway growing out of a higher floor
Zalewski Architecture Group
Zalewski Architecture Group devised this concept as a way to add inspiration to buildings that have uninteresting, often concrete filled, enclosed courtyards. Called ‘Balcony’ the design suggests a green walkway growing out of a higher floor
Zalewski Architecture Group
Zalewski Architecture Group devised this concept as a way to add inspiration to buildings that have uninteresting, often concrete filled, enclosed courtyards. Called ‘Balcony’ the design suggests a green walkway growing out of a higher floor
Zalewski Architecture Group
Haus-Rucker-Co, a design collective active in the 1960s and 1970s were known for a series of pneumatic structures that often popped out of pre-existing buildings. These parasitic outgrowths are often considered perfect early examples of the parasitic architecture movement. (Credit: MKG / Dennis Conrad - CC BY SA 3.0)
A fascinating example of a figuratively explosive parasite from Studio Libeskind expanding out of the existing building. (Credit: Tony Hisgett CC BY 2.0) 
The gloriously wonky design of architect Eric Owen Moss often bulges out of or sits on top of pre-existing structures suggesting a dynamic relationship with its host building
Eric Owen Moss
The gloriously wonky design of architect Eric Owen Moss often bulges out of or sits on top of pre-existing structures suggesting a dynamic relationship with its host building
Eric Owen Moss
The gloriously wonky design of architect Eric Owen Moss often bulges out of or sits on top of pre-existing structures suggesting a dynamic relationship with its host building
Eric Owen Moss
The gloriously wonky design of architect Eric Owen Moss often bulges out of or sits on top of pre-existing structures suggesting a dynamic relationship with its host building
Eric Owen Moss
View gallery - 48 images

A parasite is an organism that attaches itself to a host, often leeching food and nutrients at the expense of its unfortunate benefactor. Parasitic architecture emulates that relationship with new structures sitting on top of, underneath, or alongside existing structures, constantly relying on its host for support and resources.

Parasitic architecture is a growing trend around the world. As our cities grow increasingly dense, designers are finding new ways to enhance a building's footprint by adding new structures on top of older ones. Many examples of the aesthetic have a determined focus on reclaiming unused city spaces to help the homeless by adding pods or cubes to the sides of buildings.

While lots of parasitic designs sit harmoniously on their hosts, some are more violent about asserting their presence. Studio Libeskind's addition to the Royal Ontario Museum utilizes explosive new materials to blow up the traditional facade of the building, while the Green Exhibition House in Rotterdam makes no attempt to camouflage its presence, standing out in radioactive green from its surroundings.

A fascinating example of a figuratively explosive parasite from Studio Libeskind expanding out of the existing building. (Credit: Tony Hisgett CC BY 2.0) 

Parasitic architecture is indeed defined by its jarring presence – extensions to existing buildings that are designed to stand prominently apart both in material and form. More elegant examples such as the Parasite office in Moscow appear as almost organic outgrowths from their host buildings.

Take a look through our gallery highlighting some of the best parasitic architectural designs from around the world.

View gallery - 48 images

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ArchitectureParasitesArchitects
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Rich Haridy
Rich has written for a number of online and print publications over the last decade while also acting as film critic for several radio broadcasters and podcasts. His interests focus on psychedelic science, new media, and science oddities. Rich completed his Masters degree in the Arts back in 2013 before joining New Atlas in 2016.
6 comments
Paulinator
The Royal Ontario Museum was a beautiful and classic stone structure that has been assaulted by a visually impaired committee of art critics and political cling-ons. Disgusting. It'll be restored to it's former glory when the wart is removed.
CharlieSeattle
Ugly beyond comment!
Mark Salamon
Most of this architecture resembles parasites in another way as well: repulsive ugliness. You can almost hear the original structure crying out in horror, "Get this nasty thing OFF me!"
Eric Blenheim
'A parasite is an organism that lives in another organism, called the host, and often harms it. It is dependent on its host for survival - it has to be in the host to live, grow and multiply. A parasite cannot live independently.'
The term parasite is a complete misnomer when used here.
ljaques
[We are Ahole of Borg, and you will be assimilated.] If I lived on that river in the cover shot, I'd sue the living spit out of the city for doing that. It would take money right out of the pockets of every apartment, home, or building owner's pockets by changing it from "river view" to "swimming pool view". Ptui! Let's get together folks, and ban "architects" while there's still time.
kellory
A parasite takes from it's host, and returns nothing of value. Sounds about right for this style of architecture.
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