itay ohaly: elevated bench
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itay ohaly: elevated bench


'elevated bench', designed by itay ohaly


the 'elevated bench', the recent work of israeli designer itay ohaly, is urban furniture with a view.

the public benches are constructed at the top of spiral staircases that climb streetlight poles,
providing a new perspective on the city streets, as well as a more private space for conversation.



right: detail view of the bench from below



left: full view of bench, from above
right: the benches offer a different perspective on the city



altering the colour of the stairs lets 'elevated bench' fit naturally into a range of urban environments



ohaly imagines the idea adapted to the exterior walls of buildings, in addition to poles and streetlights

jenny db
01.19.11  
17
GREAT
I really like it
jonny   01.19.11
Brilliant!
Thijs Roumen   01.19.11
Great idea, although not sure I'd feel comfortable sitting up there.
Katharine   01.19.11
excellent!
Julie   01.19.11
lovely idea...bringing some more perspectives into city life.
_caal_   01.19.11
Like it , more sculptural installation than functional object , still make the ordinary walk into a nice promenade ...
Ema   01.19.11
Good idea but not safe.

If someone lost control of their car and run into that post, it could be catastrophic.
sheema   01.19.11
@sheema so, if the bench was on the ground, and someone lost control of the car and ran into you, it would be better?
Henry   01.19.11
Nice nice answer...

Why is not safe? A window is not safe too?

Please.
mica   01.19.11
Stupid idea.

Bench primary purpose = place to rest.
btb   01.20.11
Good concept. But in the other way could be a nice target. IŽd not like to be so exposed.
Cdjp   01.20.11
Imagine a 3 year old with suicidal curiosity... And the mother just turned her head around, and while not looking, the baby jumps down!

I like it though, just sure it could be a viable idea, especially not in these days of budget cuts in government expenses.
xxx   01.20.11
Oh those wacky Dutch.... I foresee lots of lawsuits!
peen   01.20.11
I think it's so crazy because ideas are too open?
aishuixi   01.21.11
Cool design, but the exterior wall variant would be a very impractical build in terms of support, if it's cantilevered.
ChickenPie   01.21.11
Would be seen as too dangerous in case of an accident. It could also be seen as a major distraction to drivers. Yes, a bench on the ground is just as vulnerable. But a bench on the ground would never be sited in the middle of a traffic island! And those people who could not jump clear of an out-of-control vehicle on the ground would not then face a 3 metre drop to a concrete floor possibly into the path of traffic. Don't even think about how safe this would be when alcohol is added to the equation! The fact is that no authority in today's litigation-crazed society would ever countenance this idea.
However, purely as an urban artistic installation I absolutely love it!
Lombax   01.22.11
John Hejduk came up with a variation on this idea over 15 years ago, a look out tower for one person. This looks more implementable.
CEMKM   01.24.11
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