New York-based design-build practice Wolfgang & Hite has transformed Thomas Heatherwick, Foster + Partners, Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R)'s buildings into erotic toys to criticize the recent real estate projects of New York. 

Named XXX-HY, a scaled set of architectural sex toys reimagines each of the new buildings at the Hudson Yards as a unique dildo. The full set of custom molded silicon toys fits snugly into a scaled replica of the entire 28-acre development. 

Designed as pinkish-colored erotic set, Thomas Heatherwick's The Vessel on New York's Hudson Yards, DS+R's The Shed - an arts center on on New York's Hudson Yards, Kohn Pedersen Fox's 10 Hudson Yards Skyscraper and 35 Hudson Yards by SOM's David Childs are among the erotic toys to rethink New York's luxury real estate in dildo experience.

"There’s a lot to love in NYC’s recent building boom, but the city and developers have been jerking each other off for decades, so naturally we wanted to join in the fun… Masturbation is a great metaphor for the latest wave of development in New York City," said Wolfgang & Hite in its project description.

"The comparison between skyscraper and phallus is nothing new," according to the company. In 2008 famed architectural critic Ada Louise Huxtable said new development for Hudson Yards looked "alarmingly like sex toys." Phallic architecture even has its own Wikipedia page. 

“Architects design dildos all the time. We wanted to put these buildings to the test," added Wolfgang & Hite. 

Each scaled to 1" (2,5 centimetres) = 100' (30.4 metres), highlights of the collection include Heatherwick's Vessel as an amateur buttplug, DS+R's Shed as an invigorating clitoral stimulator, and KPF's gargantuan roof deck tower as a magnum fisting dildo - recommended for those without a fear of heights. 

Each power tower fits into a custom opening in the site where it stands proud and each toy ranges from to 8" (55-HY) to a magnum size approximately 13" in height (20-22 centimetres). 

"To challenge what critics have claimed "placeless" and "mindless materialism," the design team purposefully exaggerated cues in the architecture of Hudson Yards to make sensitive and stimulating forms for penetrative and external masturbation," explained Wolfgang & Hite.

Each toy has a custom base, representing the largest private mixed-use development in the history of the nation, features sensuous urban textures like subway tunnels and the Highline. One might imagine the dildo city perched on a bedside table or the desk of a high powered urban planner.

"Yes, we the taxpayers have already been robbed billions in taxes and municipal bonds for private development, so it’s time to absorb the benefit." 

"Hudson Yards has received a litany of criticism this year for diverting funds intended for underemployed neighborhoods and secretively owning the rights to visitors’ photos." 

"The design team warns that research is not conclusive as to whether or not the developer will own the rights to any sexy pictures taken with the Vessel Buttplug."

"Sex does the body good. After the fiery criticisms of Hudson Yards this year, we thought city officials might need a healthy outlet for working through some of that guilt," continued the firm.

The toys have currently been designed as a prototype and not in sale, but the complete set has been sent to the New York City planning department and Steven Ross, chairman of the Related Companies – the developer behind Hudson Yards.

Wolfgang & Hite specializes in interior architecture, exhibition design, and art production. The studio brings together multiple backgrounds in architecture, interior design, art curation and production, engineering and construction, which makes it possible to work on unique commercial spaces, curated residences, objects, and large-scale art installations.

Project facts

Design team: Nick Meehan, Greta Hansen, Shan Raoufi and Sage Dumont

All images © Wolfgang & Hite

> via Wolfgang & Hite