Public furniture designs invite pedestrian interaction
Implications - Busy schedules and modern-day distractions like iPods and phones may be impacting social interaction more than we think. In urban areas, especially, people have developed an invisibile “shell,” in which privacy and keeping to oneself is the norm and often preferred. Some new public designs, however, aim to counteract this lack of interaction. These public outdoor furnishings encourage social interaction and invite strangers to become acquainted more easily, aiming to alleviate the aloof attitudes typical of urban environments.
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Public Furniture - Public furniture is being redesigned to promote social interaction and encourage strangers to become acquainted more easily. This disruption is an opportunity for designers to create more engaging and functional public spaces.
2. Natural and Aesthetic Seating - Seating is being designed with built-in planters and using organic wooden materials to add to its surroundings' natural aesthetic, creating not only functional seating but also a cohesive atmosphere of beauty and nature.
3. Spontaneous Public Meeting Spaces - New and unique art installations like Meeting Bowls are being created to foster intimate dialogues and interactions between individuals, bringing together communities through spontaneous and creative public spaces.
Industry Implications
1. Urban Design and Development - Business professionals in urban design and development should be aware of how public furniture can affect a community's social interaction and provide opportunities for creating more engaging and functional public spaces.
2. Outdoor Recreation and Leisure - The use of natural and organic materials in public seating offers an opportunity for businesses in outdoor recreation and leisure to provide functional and aesthetic seating in public spaces as well as highlight the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
3. Public Art and Installations - Incorporating spontaneous and unique public meeting spaces can benefit those in the public art and installations industry, offering an opportunity to foster intimate discussions and interactions between individuals and bring together communities through creative spaces.
5 Featured, 44 Examples:
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Date Range:
Feb 11 — Oct 11
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:
