Rampitas by Thomas Locke Hobbs

In Medellín, Colombia, motorcycles are the transportation of choice for many, especially in the working-class neighborhoods that sprawl up the steep slopes of Valle de Aburrá. These areas, largely self-constructed by domestic migrants seeking work or escaping violence, lie outside conventional urban planning. They feature a network of narrow alleys and streets, accessible on foot via steps and by motorcycles through ramps—these ramps emerging from the necessity to maneuver vehicles indoors at night.

In these comunas, such ramps are as ubiquitous as doorways. Although primarily built from concrete—a material celebrated in high architecture and modernism—here it takes on a grassroots significance. These utilitarian structures, built without much concern for aesthetics, inadvertently exhibit a rugged, sculptural beauty, reflecting a style of folk brutalism.

"Rampitas" by Thomas Locke Hobbs is an intimate exploration of these architectural forms. Thomas explains that the distinctive blue stripes used in the book’s design were inspired by the blue painter's masking tape he used in the original book dummy to join panels. The blue not only provided a stark contrast with the warmness of the images but also symbolized themes of construction and temporality relevant to the subject matter. While impractical for mass production, the essence of this approach was retained in the final design using printed blue stripes, effectively separating the images and enhancing their visual impact. This design choice, adds a layer of meaning and aesthetic appeal, reflecting the provisional yet enduring spirit of Medellín's ramp-laden landscapes.