Waiting for public transportation can be extremely dull and unpleasant, but perhaps if the environment were better furnished with, for example, a bus stop coffee table, the experience would be more enjoyable. Designer Julie Kim tested this theory by placing her Hammock coffee table, complete with newspapers and a vase of flowers, at a bus stop in L.A.'s Koreatown. Secretly filming the area, Kim noticed that the table acted as a conversation piece for commuters, and prompted strangers to talk to one another when they normally would have sat in silence.
The L.A. bus stop coffee table experiment shows just how much environment and atmosphere can affect the mood of people in what can be a stressful or frustrating situation. By placing furniture and items that are usually found in homes, the mood is much more relaxed and friendly. I would love to see this become a permanent feature in bus stops all over the world.
Public Waiting Rooms
The Julie Kim LA Bus Stop Coffee Table Experiment
Trend Themes
1. Enhanced Public Spaces - Creating well-furnished and inviting public spaces can enhance the mood and experience of people waiting for public transportation.
2. Community Engagement - Utilizing conversation pieces in public spaces can encourage strangers to interact and engage with one another, fostering a sense of community.
3. Home-inspired Environments - Incorporating furniture and decor commonly found in homes into public spaces can create a more relaxing and familiar atmosphere, improving the overall user experience.
Industry Implications
1. Urban Design - Urban designers can explore ways to enhance public spaces with furniture and decor, creating more engaging and enjoyable environments for commuters.
2. Transportation - The transportation industry can consider incorporating elements from home design to improve the waiting experience of passengers at bus stops and other transportation hubs.
3. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can explore expanding their influence beyond traditional spaces by creating comforting and inviting waiting areas at public transportation stops.