When designers are called upon to make a public space more comfortable, useful or rational — that is, when designers serve people — it can sometimes lead to fantastic results. We hope they’ll never run out of ideas, and will continue to make the world a more wonderful place in which to live.
Smalljoys has put together 14 examples of urban design which it would be cool to see in every city.
The public bench which is also a flower bed
The eco-friendly Wi-Fi hotspot
The reflective garden fence which changes appearance depending on the season
The glow-in-the-dark bike path in this park
The pubic bench which you can turn over after it rains and sit on the dry underside
These designs for a bench, staircase ramp and rain shelter
The bench which is also a table
The fold-out chairs which look like tulips
And the alternatives to benches — public hammocks!
The bus stop with swings
These free public battery chargers for smartphones
Two uses in one: it’s both a bench and a tree guard
Shade balls are small plastic spheres that are dumped into the reservoirs to protect water from contaminants and UV rays.They also help to reduce evaporation and retain water supply.
ingenious markering design
A window-balcony
The special design of these rooftop windows allows them to turn into a small balcony in just a few moments.
A chair for a large family
With the birth of his third child, Hal Taylor found it uncomfortable to read fairy tales to his children in an ordinary chair. And then he found a way to solve the problem: he invented a rocking chair with two additional seats for children.
The mattress that lets you cuddle properly
The special slats in the Cuddle Mattress allow couples to cuddle without disturbing each other during sleep. Those of you who just like sleeping on your side will appreciate this, too!
Moldable glue
This soft and flexible material is incredibly versatile. You are able to fix holes in your shoes, create wall hangers and even fix broken electronic charger cables. The list goes on and useful ideas for this product are truly endless.
Umbrellas with a hidden pattern
These patterns are only visible when the umbrella is wet.
Nameless paints
Some Japanese esigners have produced a set of “Nameless Paints” for children. The small tubes aren’t labelled with the final colour you’re looking for, but instead with the colours that need to be mixed to get the one that’s inside the tube. According to the inventors, this design develops the imagination and allows children to understand how different colours blend.
The Moon lamp
This incredibly realistic lamp in the form of the moon will be just the cup of tea for romantic people, as now you can have a part of space at home. The lamp can be hung from the walls or ceilings or placed on the floor, and it’s available in seven different sizes; the smallest one fits in your hand.
The wooden bottle
With the help of this oak bottle, you can drink beverages of far better quality than you’re normally accustomed to. Just pour some wine or beer into the bottle, and wait for two to 48 hours, then enjoy the much improved taste.
The universal lamp
This highly portable lamp in a garland shape can be hung up or tied to something, or you can just put it on the table. Its bright LED lights illuminate the surrounding area perfectly. Moreover, the lamp is waterproof. In sum, it’s a very useful thing to have!
The washing machine with a special door to load more clothes
For all of us who’s ever loaded the laundry in the machine, turned it on, and then suddenly found that we forgot to put something in, some clever designers have finally came up with an ingenious solution. It’s a small additional door through which you can add more laundry to the wash during the washing cycle.
An amazing chandelier
This chandelier in the shape of a huge grape vine adorns the ceiling of the sampling room of a Californian vineyard. And it looks quite simply exquisite!
The anti-stress ball with zoom effect
Some very detailed maps have been specially drawn on the surface of this ball, but to see them you have to squeeze the ball very hard.
Containers with a stopwatch
Train your willpower with these containers that can only be opened at a set time — and not a minute before.
Chairs inspired by Picasso
The designers of these chairs were inspired by the images of inseparable lines found in the works of Pablo Picasso. Each chair consists of a single metal tube bent in a special way, with a seat of the same colour attached.
The universal cover
This cover will fit most of the pots you have at home, it’s a joy to use when you need to keep your eye on something that needs boiling, and the unique interior surface allows you to easily drain the water.
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