Out of the all the un-charming things one might find on the streets of a bustling metropolis, steaming manhole cover are right up there among the least charming. And that makes this project from artist Mark Reigelman all the more impressive, since he managed to harness the gross power of the manhole steam and turn it into something thoroughly delightful. Reigelman fabricated a miniature house (painted "pigeon grey") and placed it on top of three manholes in New York City, forcing the steam up through the chimney of the house, transforming some intersections and confusing a few drivers in the process.
• mark reigelman's puts miniature cabin on top of steaming manhole covers for smökers installation [design boom]