Cola Bow | Penda Architects
Penda a collective based in Vienna and Beijing, created for the 2nd Beijing University Creation Expo that will remain in the future as Beijing Design Week, an installation named Cola-bow. Cola-bow is a public art installation made from more than 17,000 recycled plastic bottles, joined together with a stainless steel grid to form a shape that resembles the logo of Coca-Cola.
© Penda
The installation brings us to the problem of pollution, in this case pollution through the plastic we consume every day, only a small portion of this element polluter is recycled, a large part of the plastic consumed remains adrift, a material that takes more than 400 years to disappear.
In this case, Penda, uses an element such as polluting plastic bottles and gives it a new meaning, as a construction material, to create a cover for the entire structure and thus ensure shelter among the users of the structure.
© Penda
More than 17,000 bottles were collected in an initiative between several universities in Beijing and Coca-Cola China who exchanged 10 empty bottles for 1 full delivered to a recycling point.
The whole structure has a shape reminiscent of the logo of the brand, but at the same time, its movement creates a natural flow, impelling us to pass to move forward, but at the same time be aware of all that plastic would drift in our cities, oceans.
© Penda
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.