New York designer Joe Doucet has created a 3D-printed concrete bench that also functions as a barrier to protect public spaces from vehicle-led terrorist attacks.
Doucet's design comprises a stack of 3D-printed concrete benches, which weigh over one ton and attach to each other via steel rods. When the chunky seats are hit by a vehicle, they remain linked and skid along discs to form a barrier.
Rely, which was built at Times Square for this year's NYCxDesign festival, is intended as a "discreet" alternative for protecting pedestrianised areas from vehicle-ramming attacks carried out by terrorists, as well as car accidents.
Doucet installed the Rely bench at Times Square for New York's design week
"Traditional concrete barriers meant to provide safety from weaponised vehicles tend to be brutalist, intrusive and function as an ugly reminder that we are not safe in large congregations," Doucet told Dezeen. "Rely adopts a different, humanist approach, offering alternate function as seating when not performing protective duties, and enhancing its surroundings with beauty rather than constant reminders of aggression."
The benches each weigh over a ton and are stacked atop one another
His sentiment chimes with those of other designers and architects who have sought alternative ways to protect open public spaces from vehicle attacks, following recent events in Manhattan, as well as a number of European cities including London, Barcelona and Florence....