Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Designers are supposed to be making the world easier and more enjoyable, but sometimes they do the exact opposite. Instead of removing obstacles, they create additional ones!
There can be a whole bunch of reasons for it. Maybe there was a need to reduce costs or a push to influence a certain behavior, but the bottom line is that users aren't happy.
The X account ‘Hostile Design’ highlights examples of these questionable “solutions,” showcasing the many ways objects and spaces can work against people and communities.
More info: X
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
#2
quentariel 9 hours ago
This would be perfect in Finland. To be honest, if that bench continued the whole way, people would only sit on the opposite ends at the same time.
#3
Giles McArdell 7 hours ago
I always assumed the pivot was to prevent the seat getting wet when it rains, but what do I know?
Load More Replies...
Arthur Waite 7 hours ago
It looks like that - the boards have a spindle at each end, where the frame holds it. Just poor photography.
Load More Replies...
Pagan squirrel 4 hours ago
It's a bench you can't sleep on, we have these at bus stops in the UK
#14
David Paterson 14 hours ago (edited)
Now this I like. Different people different heights. With a disabled access one at the end. Do you think they could make short flight airplane seats like these?
#15
#19
Kerry Bown 7 hours ago
I get this, they domt want people sitting on the sill and blocking the window display.
#21
Daisydaisy 13 hours ago
It just horrifies me that we don't want homeless people to even have a place to lie down. I find this really distressing. Why are we so cruel?
#22
#23
Janissary35680 8 hours ago
Muratpaşa is a township in Antalya in Turkey. Very HOT and humid climate in summer and before AC became widely available even people with homes frequently slept outdoors.
#24
#27
#28
Janissary35680 8 hours ago
This one has me stumped. How are those seats stable under even a normal adult body weight load?
#37
#38
#41
Arthur Waite 7 hours ago
Is this in Rainy Britain? Because it sure wouldn't be popular in Sunny Arizona.
#45
M O'Connell 7 hours ago
The ledge is so narrow that this doesn't feel hostile to anything but birds.
#50
Arthur Waite 7 hours ago
And from the size of that crack, I'd say even the plants aren't comfortable.
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Malsumis 14 hours ago
these aren't designers "forgetting", it's intentional design to make it as uncomfortable as possible for (mostly) homeless people to relax or sleep or loiter in these areas
Sarah Suelzle 8 hours ago (edited)
OK - hold on everyone - yes, a lot of these are anti homeless, discouraging loitering, etc. However, some of them, like the ones directly in front of businesses doors and windows...I don't blame the business owner for discouraging people living and/or sleeping in their doorway or whatever. What are they supposed to do? Just allow people to loiter/sleep/live in front of your shop entrance and window displays? The police won’t do anything and if they do, either the people come right back or are simply replaced by others. I’m not going to get into a whole thing with you but I’m born and raised in Portland, Oregon and I know what I’m talking about. Don’t always be so quick to judge.
Tom Hardeveld 12 hours ago
Most of these are there for stopping homeless people to sleep or sit in places. You know, instead of helping them, make their life even more difficult...
Becky Samuel 9 hours ago
Great! A volunteer! How many hours are you putting in with local charities each week to help out? Maybe you're running a campaign to pressure your local authorities to do more. No? Oh. Just after internet validation. Here, have an imaginary pat on the back for your troubles. Feel better?
Load More Replies...
Astrobloom (they/them) 9 hours ago
Get in losers, we're going to correct some hostile architecture.
Somebodys grandmother 12 hours ago
This make me sick. Had to stop reading. I wish we could unite to make this go away. To destroy this unfriendly inviroment 🥺
Becky Samuel 9 hours ago (edited)
Okay then. Feel free. I'm sure that whereever you live has a desperate need for volunteers and donations to help the homeless. I can't decide whether I'm more tired of or amused by the performative outrage of people who do nothing to help the homeless. Nobody seems to complain when the train station ISN'T full of scary, smelly people and there ISN'T human feces, d**g paraphernalia and piles of soiled bedding in their public spaces.
Load More Replies... 
Malsumis 14 hours ago
these aren't designers "forgetting", it's intentional design to make it as uncomfortable as possible for (mostly) homeless people to relax or sleep or loiter in these areas
Sarah Suelzle 8 hours ago (edited)
OK - hold on everyone - yes, a lot of these are anti homeless, discouraging loitering, etc. However, some of them, like the ones directly in front of businesses doors and windows...I don't blame the business owner for discouraging people living and/or sleeping in their doorway or whatever. What are they supposed to do? Just allow people to loiter/sleep/live in front of your shop entrance and window displays? The police won’t do anything and if they do, either the people come right back or are simply replaced by others. I’m not going to get into a whole thing with you but I’m born and raised in Portland, Oregon and I know what I’m talking about. Don’t always be so quick to judge.
Tom Hardeveld 12 hours ago
Most of these are there for stopping homeless people to sleep or sit in places. You know, instead of helping them, make their life even more difficult...
Becky Samuel 9 hours ago
Great! A volunteer! How many hours are you putting in with local charities each week to help out? Maybe you're running a campaign to pressure your local authorities to do more. No? Oh. Just after internet validation. Here, have an imaginary pat on the back for your troubles. Feel better?
Load More Replies... Astrobloom (they/them) 9 hours ago
Get in losers, we're going to correct some hostile architecture.
Somebodys grandmother 12 hours ago
This make me sick. Had to stop reading. I wish we could unite to make this go away. To destroy this unfriendly inviroment 🥺
Becky Samuel 9 hours ago (edited)
Okay then. Feel free. I'm sure that whereever you live has a desperate need for volunteers and donations to help the homeless. I can't decide whether I'm more tired of or amused by the performative outrage of people who do nothing to help the homeless. Nobody seems to complain when the train station ISN'T full of scary, smelly people and there ISN'T human feces, d**g paraphernalia and piles of soiled bedding in their public spaces.
Load More Replies... 
Related on Bored Panda
