A bench with hostile design outside of the Science Library.
This bench is located in the open, outside of Allan Price Library, which is the science library on the University of Oregon campus. Is it a long bench made up of wooden planks and every 2 to 3 feets there is a metal piece about 6 inches long, embedded into the bench. Though, the surface of the metal is offsetted, higher than the wood surfaces. The intention of that is to prevent homeless people from resting on it for long and comfortably. The little metal bumps are far enough for people to sit in between, but close enough to become obstacles for people to lay across on.
Metal bumps limits one’s movement while laying on the bench.
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The wood bench is a good example of hostile design. Not only because it has the metal pieces that make resting uncomfortable but also the fact that is a solid bench. It does not have an sapce in between the floor and the seat preventing the unhouse to store their belonging below the seat. It is very clear that is a block meant for sitting.
I find this example to be a very unique form of hostile design. I am sure that it is intended to deter the unhoused population from using the benches to lay down, but in my opinion it is a poor execution of hostile design. The raised areas are very small and although they may be uncomfortable it is not completely deterring anyone from laying down there. It is still possible to lay down or sleep there if necessary.
I agree that this is an example of hostile design. I liked how you mentioned that the box-like structure of the bench limits people from placing their belongings under the bench. I did not notice that function before but it makes sense that this would deter the unhoused populations.
These studs are an extremely popular method of hostile design. They target both homeless people as well as young people who skate. Your diagram is really well done and perfectly shows the way that these studs affect people.