Retirees can sit comfortably on the lower end of this bench. They will experience good sitting height and adequate support to get up again. The homeless can spend the night inside, and stash their belongings securely inside the bench. Kids can play around on the bench, or inside. Busy adults can lean on the sides of the bench. Teens can perch themselves at the very top of the bench and feel alone.

The design of Social Capital is based on observation, not dialogue. I want to create a piece of urban furniture with a mission to spark a debate on the values we want our city to reflect. The bench combines a shelter inspired sleeping space with a slice from an amphi theatre. This creates a lot of different seating possibilities.

To me the purpose of design is to create a better world – not a crappier one. This is the simple explanation why I have chosen to make the better part of my design practice Open Source.

We the designers need to work on a political leves – mere aesthetics do not longer suffice. To me the purpose of design is to create a better world – not a crappier one. This is the simple explanation why we have chosen to make the better part of my design practice Open Source.