In Los Angeles, Heavy Trash, a coalition of anonymous architects, designers and urban planners, have erected orange viewing platforms outside the gates of three upscale LA neighborhoods to protest what they see as a disturbing proliferation of gated communities.

“We feel that gated communities are becoming popular at a very alarming rate, and that 10 to 20 years from now, people will realize that the gates are an anathema to a democratic, open society, and that they instead make for a more fearful society,” said a Heavy Trash member.

The towers recall the historic viewing platforms at the Berlin Wall that allowed Westerners to see into East Berlin. However, passersby did not understand their purpose until it was explained, and there was little evidence of anyone trying out the platforms.

Via Archinect Reuters.