Designing Public Spaces: Inclusivity and Community

On my most recent project I have been tasked with designing a piece of concrete furniture for a public space of my choosing. From my own experiences with my younger brother, who is a skateboarder and all around lunatic, I have realised how marginalised skateboarders really are in most public spaces. Why is this? Well to put it simply some associate skateboarders with danger and consider them pests as they repurpose public spaces that are designed for the general public. They would use a set of stairs as a nice jump, rather than walking down them like most would.

With skaters around there is also a risk of someone getting hurt if a skater performs a trick wrong or if one of the public is hit. However I feel that these scenarios are uncommon and therefore skaters are judged unfairly.

My intention has been to design and create a bench that also acts as a skate obstacle. By giving the piece two purposes, it can be used both by skaters and the public. I feel this will help to integrate skateboarders into the wider communities around these public spaces.

The skate space on the Southbank is a great example of how skateboarding can be beneficial for the public as well. It is a sport that is exciting f0r the skateboarder and whoever is spectating. The Southbank skate space has become a tourist attraction, due to it being the centre of the UK skate scene.

My project is all about encouraging the public to spectate skateboarding in public spaces, but also allow skateboarders to feel welcome. A lot of newer skateboarders also find the skatepark intimidating and don't feel comfortable to go straight there, s0 my furniture in spaces like parks will allow those who are starting to ease themselves into the sport.