Often times, in the attempt to discourage the homeless from using park benches as a temporary home, these benches have become cold and lonely objects within a landscape.
Dynamic. Responsive. Relevant. In every design review or crit, words like this are constantly thrown out. As students of architecture, we seek to create spaces which can engage with the users. Can individual objects in a public space evoke this type of environment?
Case study: Sean Goodsell
These benches designed by architect Sean Goodsell can be adapted to be temporary shelters for the homeless. His projects such as the bus shelter house and the park shelter house not only provide a practical place for the homelss, but provide insight and social commentary to the way in which we use our public space.
Some other inspiring images:
Instead of individual objects placed on sidewalks, and parks, can public furniture be integrated create a more applicable and relevant environment for the public??
Possible design projects... very rough brainstorming?
1) Every Sunday in Hong Kong, the density of people along walkways and streets grows exponentially. For domestic helpers in Hong Kong, Sundays are rest days and subsequently, public spaces become places to picnic, socialize, and gather. Can a system of adaptable or transportable furniture be created to service these areas? Would traditional furniture (such as benches and tables) really be the correct solution for these places?
2) "Grown up playground"?
Some questions I'm thinking about:
1) What SCALE and SIZE is necessary for a public intervention?
2) Can furniture in a landscape be architectural??
3) Do the objects placed in a space really affect the way people interact/respond??
