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50 Times Architects Outdid Themselves And Came Up With Something So Thoughtful That It Could Only Be Labeled As ‘Friendly Architecture’
Interview
Hi there! Howdy! Bonjour! How are you doing today? I hope you’re well! Have a good one!
Being friendly can go a long way. Even if you only have a brief interaction with someone, showing a bit of kindness can make their day and inspire them to spread a little more positivity as well. And contrary to what you might believe, people and animals are not the only ones who can be friendly. Apparently architecture can be too.
Allow me to introduce you to Friendly Architecture. This subreddit celebrates all of the people-friendly places in the world, from beautiful cycle paths to train tunnels that block anyone from falling onto the tracks. We’ve gathered some of our favorite posts from this friendly group, so you too can appreciate the brilliance of these architects who were thinking ahead. Be sure to upvote all of the pics of infrastructure that you would give a hearty “hello!” to if you came across them, and then let us know in the comments where the friendliest architecture you’ve ever encountered was. Keep reading to also find an interview with Honor Hingston-Cox, the creator of Friendly Architecture, and then if you’re looking for another Bored Panda article appreciating great design after finishing this list, we’ve got you covered right here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Wildlife Overpass, Trans-Canada Highway, Banff National Park, Canada. The 38 Passes And Fencing Have Reduced Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions By More Than 80%
RELATED:
#2
In Norway You Get A Small Amount Of Money For Recycling Bottles/Cans. They're Often Collected By Poor People, Homeless Etc. A Lot Of Our Trash Cans Has These Holders Around Them So People Don't Have To Search Through The Trash To Collect Them
#3
Wheelchair Friendly Sandbox
#4
Homeless Bench, Vancouver, Canada
Laura Ketteridge 4 years ago
This is so very much kinder than the measures designed to prevent homeless people sleeping on benches, or in doorways. It's bad enough people are sleeping rough, they need kindness.
#5
Parent + Child Library Carrel, So You Can Do Your Research And Keep Your Little One Occupied. Fairfield Library, Virginia, USA
elsieairhead 4 years ago
I'm glad this is here because I saw this in a negative "dystopian" post from BP in the past when it's a great idea.
#6
It's Not For People But It's Still Friendly
IguanaCircusGirl2000 4 years ago
I love how they put a screen on the manhole cover so that ducklings and other small animals cannot fall through.
#7
They Put Rails Under The Benches In This Park So You Can Always Be In The Shadow
#8
Pool And Water Slide, Egmont Højskolen ("Folk High School"), Western Denmark
Cecilie Hammershøy 4 years ago
The bottom of the pool can also be raised or lowered to fit the user
#9
In Case This Counts: Braille On The Rail To Describe The View
#10
Sympathetic Architecture
#11
Teetertotters Slotted Through The U.S.-Mexico Border Wall By Ronald Rael And Virginia San Fratello
#12
Turtle Tunnels In Japan, Protecting The Turtles Crossing Train Tracks And Stopping Trains From Derailing Due To Turtles!!
#13
Bioswale, Seattle Wa. (A Channel To Concentrate, Clean And Move Stormwater)
#14
Wheelchair Accessible Gardening. Used For Garden Therapy, Rehab, Hospice. Developed In Douvres-La-Délivrande, France
#15
Crab Migration Bridge, Christmas Island, Australia
Skipper Laine 4 years ago
The person in charge of cleaning up after this will be very crabby indeed...
#16
Green Man+, A Card & Traffic Light System To Give People More Time To Cross At Intersections, Singapore
Laura Ketteridge 4 years ago
Wonderful. A simple system to allow people to cross without worry.
#17
These Public Benches Are Reversible, So You Can Choose To Look At People, Or Boats
#18
Mini Door At Child's Doctor's Office, Neat Idea!
#19
Old City, Jerusalem Added 4km Of Wheelchair-Accessible Routes In 2019 (And Cleared It With Unesco)
Laura Ketteridge 4 years ago
Brilliant. These changes make such a difference to the lives of wheelchair users.
#20
Super-Accessible Waterfront, Sirens Beach, Greece
Alexandra Davis 4 years ago
Another simple change to make a world of difference to people like me in wheelchairs. Like I said in the photo above, just because I'm in a wheelchair, doesn't mean I don't want to explore the world and go out. I wish these would appear on more beaches!
#21
This Bus Stop Near My Home In Norway
#22
In Asia Nobody Has To Worry About Falling Into The Subway Tracks
Lyrica Melody 4 years ago
This is utter nonsense -- just because some cities in Asia have stations like these does not mean they all do. That's like claiming all highways in North America are underground because of Boston's Big Dig.
#23
Bee Bricks: Bricks With Holes For Solitary Bees
#24
These Benches That Turn Into Tables
RandomFrog(He/They️️) 4 years ago
My aunt and uncle have these. It’s realy nice cuz while the kids play they can watch or the kids can rest on the bench but then for lunch we fold them down and can eat.
#25
Hedgehog Highway (Dolly Parton Called These Out This Week), UK
#26
Cover For Bicycle Saddle So It Doesn't Get Wet When It Rains
Young Minami Kotaro 4 years ago (edited)
I think, it's more like to protect from the sun's heat..
#27
Modskool - Design Museum Winner For Best Architecture 2020, India
ModSkool is a school that is designed to be easily erected and dismantled in response to forced evictions of farming communities on the floodplains of the Yamuna river in India.
First built in 2017 in less than three weeks by students, school staff, parents, and local volunteers, the school was dismantled one year later due to land-ownership issues. The new school, relocated further south, was held together with the form of weave used for a charpoy, a multifunctional piece of furniture traditionally used as a daybed.
#28
Wall Of Kindness, Norwich, Vermont, USA
#29
A Bus Stop With Swings
#30
Circular Footbridge Over Roundabout, Shanghai
#31
This Drinking Fountain Allows You To Gill Your Bottle, And Saves The Extra Water For Passing Dogs
Amber The bear 4 years ago (edited)
Ah yes, perfect spot to GILL your water bottle 😌 EDIT: That was sarcasm!!!
#32
Australian Wheelchair Swing!
Laura Ketteridge 4 years ago
Fantastic. It's get seeing more spaces being accessible for people with disabilities.
#33
Safe Haven Baby Boxes
#34
A Friendly Urban Cycle Path In Girona
#35
This Gate Allowing Horses And Pedestrians Not Cars
#36
A Bridge Providing A Bench In The Fences In Shanghai
#37
Public Defibrillation Station, Adelaide, Australia
#38
This Anti-Climbing Fence On The" S*icide Bridge "(Colloquially) In A Small Town England. There Are Also Signs With Suicide Hotlines On Them. Not A Fun Part Of Architecture But Definitely Helpful/Saving Lives
Francis 4 years ago
i once planned those fences at a bridge . we had to be SUPER sensible about the topic. an agency that also runs a suicide hotline warned us: if the project becomes public before we're finished, there gonna be a lot of people jumping before we install the fences (because they gonna use the last chance they see to do it)
#39
Amphibian Tunnel, Cycle Highway Of Eindhoven, Netherlands
Jyri Hakola 4 years ago
Wonder how quickly also the cranes learns how to use these as food vending machines :D
#40
Trash Cans For Cyclists (Blikvanger), Netherlands
#41
Solar Park Bench With USB Charging Ports
#42
Wheelchair Resting Spot On A Long Hill. Also A Bench In A Pinch
#43
These Two Coin Lockers That Are Easily Accessible In A Wheelchair, Austria
#44
Recessed "Pause Space" For Those With Asd Providing An Opportunity To Control The Amount Of Incoming Information, UK
#45
Earthships, Passive Solar Earth Shelters Around The World
#46
Tiled Patches In Cracked Pavement, Lyon, France (By Ememem)
#47
The Fruit Bus Stops Of Nagasaki Prefecture (Designed To Showcase The Agricultural Output Of The Region)
#48
This Bench Also Works As A Xylophone. Also, No Dividers!
#49
The Tiles Around Our Apartment Complex Is Made Up Like The Enemies In Space Invaders, Sweden
#50
Giving Back To Pedestrians!
#51
This Is One Of The More Common Architectural Tricks. This Kind Of "Gate" Stops Cars And Forces Cyclists To Stop Or Slow Down To Help Keep Pedestrians Save
Sandra Bartsch 4 years ago
Awful for wheelchairs, tandems and bike trailers (also kiddy trailers), when built too close to each other. I‘ve been there in all the mentioned situations
#52
Enzo: Outdoor Furniture Designed For The Museumsquartier In Vienna
Cactus McCoy 4 years ago
Now tear up some of that excessive pavement and plant some more plants. Might improve this.
#53
Wine Windows, Mostly Florence, Italy, Originally For Plague And Now Reopened And Revived
#54
Sidewalk Hopscotch, Amsterdam (Photo: @marcovanhassel)
Laura Ketteridge 4 years ago
Amsterdam has lots of little play spaces in its streets. They are great.
#55
Cycle Leaning Rail, Horsens, Denmark (So You Can Hold On While Waiting For The Light To Change)
#56
Little Free Rocks, Shells And Toy Exchange, Siletz Bay, Oregon
#57
Bat-Friendly Spacing In Bridges, Texas And Elsewhere
#58
Outdoor Ping Pong Tables
theflyingcicero 4 years ago
In Vienna, Austria, there are some of these, too. Went there to teach my Afghan boys to teach them to play Ping Pong. We met a very charming older Chinese gentleman, who would really teach them to play.
#59
"Restored By Light", Using Light To Recreate Frescoes On The Mission Buildings, San Antonio, Texas
RandomFrog(He/They️️) 4 years ago
When I lived in San Antonio we probably went to the missions and the Alamo twice becuase it was so touristy and busy.
#60
Hazelwood School, Glasgow, Scotland
David Andrews 4 years ago (edited)
For anyone wondering, Hazelwood is a school specifically built for children with multiple sensory issues. The trail rail shown is part of the design to allow the children to navigate the building on their own
#61
Towers For Chimney Swifts , Replacements For Hollow Tree And Chimney Nesting Sites, Various
#62
Emergency Stopping Lane/Runaway Truck Ramp
#63
Curb Cuts With Tactile Paving - Great For Everyone!
Laura Ketteridge 4 years ago
They are really great, and allow people with sight problems to find the safer crossing points, as well as enabling wheelchair/walker users to make an easier transition. However, it doesn't make it easier for everyone. I find that when my hips or knees are acting up, the slight changes in position caused by the slope and dimples causes a lot of pain. It's great there are areas without the drop kerb and dimples so people like me can use them too.
#64
Meditative Walking Labyrinth, Hogsback, South Africa
#65
Public Bike Repair, With Bike Stand, UK, Oregon & Nebraska USA
#66
I Just Today Noticed How Friendly The Parking Lot/Sidewalk Barrier Actually Is At A Local Gas Station. None Others I've Seen Like It
No Curb. Allows for easy wheelchair/bike/disabled access at any point along the building. While there are disabled spots for parking, it makes sure its accessible anywhere. With the posts there rather than a curb, it prevents larger vehicles from sitting over the edge and lessening the walking space pedestrians and wheelchairs have.
#67
These Benches Were Designed By Velopa So That Those With Walkers Could Park Them Discreetly And Still Be Part Of The Conversation. The Footrests And Large Armrests Are To Help People Get Up Again. (See R/Hostile For More Discussion)
BluEyedSeoulite 4 years ago
I get the appeal but you can do that with a normal bench, but on the side, and it is still accessible for people needing more space or to lay down
#68
This Droste Effect Little Library At A Community Org, Washington Dc
Sharron Lindsay 4 years ago
Our little village in the UK has repurposed the iconic red telephone box as a library and it does get used. I've got a couple of books to exchange for books I have at home. In December the library turns into a post box for letters to Santa.
#69
"Do You Want Us Here Or Not," Art Seating By Shannon Finnegan
#70
Cellphone Lane And No Cellphone Lane, Chongquing, China
Oerff On Tour 4 years ago
This won't work. People glued to their phones won't see the markings on the street, because they are looking at the screen, *not* where they are walking.
#71
Ground Signage, Vienna/Wien, Austria
#72
Kassel Kerbs, Concave Curbs That Help Align Low-Floor Bus Wheels So Passengers Can Roll-On & Roll-Off
#73
If You're Going To Dry Lumber Anyway, Why Not? Vancouver, Bc
Erik Ivan 4 years ago
Cool, but not for drying lumber, for several reasons: 1) fresh lumber leak sap and resin. You WILL ruin your clothes if you sit on it. 2) fresh lumber need to be layed up properly when it is sawn. 3) that structure is held together by something. If not, it would be a very dangerous place to be. 4) you do not put lumber in a park to dry out. You just don't. It makes the owner liable for anything that happens.
#74
Pedal Bench, El Parque Del Retiro, Madrid. Photo: Felix Wong
#76
Social Distancing Circles, Domino Park, Brooklyn, USA
#77
Texas-Shaped Pavers, North Texas, USA
#78
Polite Of This Building To Not Distract From The Beautiful Sky
Tamsin Far 4 years ago
Not sure if this friendly for birds.. hope they have taken measures to make it visible for them.
#79
Giant Chess In Sarajevo
#80
These Bollards Double As Chairs [bonus Car-In-Bike-Path In The Background]
![These Bollards Double As Chairs [bonus Car-In-Bike-Path In The Background]](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/62f61a99b5be7_9wuoaof4s0871-png__700.jpg "These Bollards Double As Chairs [bonus Car-In-Bike-Path In The Background]")
Chris Kane 4 years ago
Bollards are made to keep pedestrians safe from traffic. Making them into seats seems counterproductive.
#81
How To Stop Skaters Without Hostility
#82
Hand Sanitizer Station, Calgary, Canada. Photo By Sergei S. Scurfield
#83
River Skerne Footbridge Before And After, Darlington, UK
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What do you think ?
Electra Complex 4 years ago
It really shows that with a little consideration, it's not hard to make things more accessible!!
Warrior Mama 4 years ago
Our downtown library is 5 stories high and has some great features like these built in during a recent renovation! Most of the roof is now covered with long planters filled with wildflowers and grasses and the planters have built in benches. Also, in the children's reading room they added a lot of features including a slide down to the lobby level
Electra Complex 4 years ago
It really shows that with a little consideration, it's not hard to make things more accessible!!
Warrior Mama 4 years ago
Our downtown library is 5 stories high and has some great features like these built in during a recent renovation! Most of the roof is now covered with long planters filled with wildflowers and grasses and the planters have built in benches. Also, in the children's reading room they added a lot of features including a slide down to the lobby level
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