Location, Location, Inflation

How does an architect protest the inflated Florida real estate market? By creating “The Fabulous Floating Inflatable Villa.” Designed by the Venezuelan-born architect Pons, the 30-foot-high edifice was fabricated by Miami-based Inflatable Concepts. It floated via flatbed barge to its debut at the ArtBasle Miami show in November-December 2005.

Alejandro Handal, vice president of Inflatable Concepts, explained that the villa’s brown base is nylon with a PVC coating, and the columns and other components are made of various plastics, also coated with PVC. Vinyl strengthens the material and protects it from water and sun, Handal explained. A motor/blower runs continuously to keep it inflated with cold air. The 900-square-foot villa—the latest in Puffy Palladian—cost $20,000 and took four weeks to build.

In addition to fabricating unreal estate, Handal’s company uses PVC-based products in producing a variety of inflatables for advertising and promotions—including mascots (such as an 8-foot Dilbert, an 8-foot Geico Gecko) and “walking inflatables.”  How does one inhabit a walking inflatable? Secure the lightweight battery harness, step into the costume, secure the shoe straps, start the blower, zip up the costume. The suit inflates in less than a minute—and voila! A walking, talking product replica.

As for the villa, as of July, 2006, the edifice was deflated, but there were plans afloat for a possible trip to Europe. The villa was also underwritten by Dacra Development and the Wolfsonian-Florida International University. For more on inflatables, visit www.inflatableconcepts.com.