Site One: 5th Street
The first instance of the hostile design was discovered near Fifth Street Market by Sushi Station. I noticed an overhang above the neighboring restaurant’s window intentionally lined with a collection of potted plants. This deliberate choice seems to be aimed at preventing individuals, particularly the homeless seeking shelter, from utilizing the covered area, especially during the rainy season. By using this method, the store effectively excludes a specific user group while maintaining subtlety. Someone who is not actively thinking about the design choice would not think anything of these plants. Additionally, the plants act as aesthetic decor and serve the purpose of blocking the view into the interior, acting as natural blinds so those from the outside cannot watch those who are inside.
Image of the Window Besides Sushi Station.
Illustrated Diagram of Street View.
The design of the overhang matching up with the potted plants works at preventing the unhoused population from using the space and blocking passers by. The potted plants also prevent people from leaning up against the glass as well.
It is interesting that the potted plants are only located under the one cover area in the whole storefront. It is a celar but subtle example of hostile design, that prevents the unhouse to rest under the awning. The planters create a clear blockage for the unhouse to be able to rest there. Also, they could function as pivacy barrier from the customer inside.
This was a very good observation of hostile design. The underneath of the overhang would be the perfect spot for an tent to be set up in the winter and it was very smart that they put the planters there to prevent that.
I completely agree with that. I think that those plants were definitely placed there to prevent the houseless from taking shelter under the awning. But its very inconspicuous, and I would never guess that it was a hostile design effort.
I really like this example that you’ve found. The plants are almost invisibly showing the hostile design intentions behind their placement and serve multiple purposes other than just preventing use of that space.
I think this is a really good example of hostile design in eugene, considering that the potted plants are only placed under the overhang.
The overhang used here communicated a well shaded public area that would be optimal for shelter during a sunny/rainy day. The placement of planters spaced the way that they are is a very large sign of intentional hostile design.
I really like this example. This fully reflects that the owner does not want unhoused people to set up tents and sleep in front of their store, because these potted plants intentionally block part of the space in front of the store, which cannot allow homeless people to stay.
I think that this is a very smart way to keep homeless people from sleeping outside of their business, and it also achieves several other important functions; creating an aesthetic exterior, blocking view to the interior, and providing an interior view of plants when looking through the window.
These plants are a great example of a subtle hostile design as it can be sold as a landscaping addition to the building. However, their placement under the overhang makes it extremely obvious that they are discouraging people from using the space underneath.
I really like this example you discovered since it is not inherently hostile unless you’re an unhoused individual or you’re specifically looking for hostile design, like us, in this instance. It’s most definitely a beautified hostile design element.