Chataround

Bench, 2016
In collaboration with Dark Horse Architecture Inc. (Ethem Tar and Emeil Alvarez)

Since the rise of the information age, humans have been seeking increased social connectivity and interaction. The streets of cities are gradually transforming into more public spaces, becoming less conducive to automobiles. Responding to this transformation, Chataround questions and challenges the form and functionality of conventional street objects, such as the benches that people use daily. With its U-shaped design, it aims to encourage users to face one another—something a "traditional" bench discourages, as users tend to sit apart from each other, facing the same direction. Its curvilinear shape is inspired by a simple round stool commonly found in social places like bars.