The ParkBench project proposes an innovative model of urban street furniture that simulta- neously accommodates the needs of pedestrians and personal mobility users. By integrating a bench for seating and a docking rack for scooters within a single compact system, the design addresses the challenges of today’s congested urban environments, where available public space is scarce yet demanded by diverse users.
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ParkBench
Furniture Design (Concept)
Firm
Hankyu Kim Architectural Design Lab of INU
Architect/Designer
Hankyu Kim
Design Team
Jaehwan Lee, Youngjun Song
Location
Republic of Korea
Country
Republic of Korea
Photographer/Copyright
©Hankyu Kim
Website
N/A
Instagram
N/A
Facebook
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Whatsapp
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The design takes inspiration from the form of the scooter itself, translating its slender and linear silhouette into an efficient and compressed architectural language. The intentional use of inclination in the structure transforms what might otherwise be a rigid element into a comfortable and supportive backrest, demonstrating how functional ergonomics and visual expression can merge seamlessly.
Modularity is at the core of the project. Each unit is conceived to serve a dual purpose: offering space for one person to sit and simultaneously providing one docking slot for a scooter. These modules can be combined, repeated, or reconfigured according to the specific spatial and programmatic requirements of different urban contexts—whether placed along sidewalks, in parks, or at transport interchanges. This adaptability allows ParkBench to scale from a minimal intervention to a larger public installation.
Material selection emphasizes durability, resilience, and longevity. The use of robust metal components ensures that the bench withstands the physical demands and environmental stresses of dense city conditions, while also facilitating ease of maintenance and public safety.
Ultimately, the ParkBench project is more than a piece of street furniture—it is a proposal for a new type of urban infrastructure. It envisions a public realm where rest and movement, pedestrians and micro-mobility, stillness and flow coexist within the same design. By uniting these dualities, the project reflects the evolving dynamics of contemporary urban life and offers a practical yet symbolic gesture toward more sustainable, shared, and human-centered cities.
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