Collaborators: Anton Åberg, Oliver Sharp
Project length: 2 weeks
Project length: 2 weeks
THE CHALLENGE
Design concepts for a product family of three outdoor public furniture pieces which create a meeting place that brings people together and is suitable for all with consideration to users’ disabilities.
SUMMARY
In this short, user-centred project we worked closely with two users with major dissabilities to get a detailed understanding of the specific problems they face everyday. This research was combined with anthropometric and ergonomic statistics from Arbetsmiljöverket to create a set of furniture which welcomes anyone regardless of abilities.
We interviewed Johan, who is wheelchair bound and suffers from severe rheumatism. He gave us insights into the many difficulties with seating in public places. Johan also told us that he would actually very rarely leave his wheelchair for another seat, so we decided to adapt the table to the wheelchair instead.
With this picnic table, we wanted to make the seating more accessible and ensure that everyone feels included.
Kjell, who also suffers from severe rheumatism, gave us further insight into the troubles of furniture for the disabled. He taught us that the space below a seat is crucial for standing up, as well having armrests.
Both Kjell and Johan spoke of the need for a resting spot, but that the struggles of having to sit down and getting up again are usually too strenuous for shorter stops. Therefore, for the final piece of the product family we created a rest support to lean on for brief breaks.
