This urban design object was created from cement mixed with fine decorative gravel. Intended primarily as a functional barrier to restrict car access, it also serves as a planter — its interior filled with soil and planted with flowers or small shrubs. Not any new invention.

The planter’s form — an inverted car — was chosen deliberately. By blocking vehicle entry, it carries an ironic message: the car is especially unwelcome here. As environmental awareness grows globally, this symbolic object serves as a gentle reminder for city dwellers to reduce car use and care more for the planet.

Another layer of meaning lies in the idea of reuse and transformation — giving materials and forms a second life while conserving natural resources. The car-shaped structure, once overturned, metaphorically becomes what it was: a car again, reimagined for a greener purpose.

In total, nine pieces were produced and placed in groups throughout the “Students’ City” in Kaunas. A few years later, they were relocated to “Saugėnai” children’s city, where they blended beautifully into the surroundings.

The concrete production was carried out by the small Latvian company “FlO.”

The project was funded by the Kaunas City Municipality.

Photos: Lukas Mykolaitis