Author: Giorgio Venturi

The “Public Bench Project” is a fascinating initiative in San Francisco, which bypasses some of the typical bureaucracy involved in public infrastructure. This project places benches across the city to build community by giving people a place to meet and rest. It promotes the use of public spaces and aims to enhance neighborhood bonds. The…

Sheffield Hallam University’s Harvey McKellar created a park bench that aims to be more than a functional or decorative furniture piece by having a positive impact on mental health. It is a subject he is especially passionate about, as he experienced a suicide in his family in his teens. The design employs 25-degree-angles which mean…

 The Bench Project was initiated by Dr. Clare Rishbeth at the University of Sheffield and it focuses on the role of benches in public spaces and their impact on social wellbeing. The project explores how spending time outdoors on benches can be beneficial for mental health and community connection, particularly important for individuals who may…

Watching the world go by in an exploration of the use of public spaces. London-based artist and director Esther Johnson talks about her project Alone Together: The Social Life of Benches: “The film looks at how individuals and groups use public and liminal spaces. Drawing on a series of oral testimonies and composed portraits, we wanted to illuminate the…