Concept
A bench is an object usually overlooked, I have come across benches that try to encourage fellow strangers to connect with one another when sat on it, however the bench will have one sign on it saying "buddy bench". there is one in the park near my house and I have never experiences anyone using it for that purpose. this is when I thought, what could I do to improve this. The Story Bench reimagines a public bench as a hub for storytelling and connection. It transforms an ordinary object into a meaningful space that sparks interaction, reflection, and community engagement.
Physical Design
The bench's surface could have engraved patterns, text, or symbols that represent local history, culture, or stories. Example: A timeline of local events or short poetic prompts like “What’s your happiest memory here?”. It could also Include movable panels or slots for people to leave handwritten notes, drawings, or small tokens, therefore if someone is sat on the bench on their own they can still feel connected to someone.
Implementation plan
I would install this in a local park and collaboration with local artists and writers in designing the bench.
Outcome
- Emotional Impact: The bench becomes a space where people feel inspired to pause, reflect, and connect.
- Social Impact: It builds a sense of community by sharing and celebrating local stories.
- Aesthetic Impact: The redesigned bench adds beauty and creativity to an otherwise functional object.
