- Title:
street furniture Doetinchem photo 1
Client:
Gemeente Doetinchem
Year: 2009
In May 2009 the Doetinchem Municipality approached Makan with an assignment to design street furniture for the city centre. The main aim was to have the furniture create certain islands of serenity where shoppers can take a moment to catch their breath. An island would consist of a long bench, a small pollarded sycamore tree and a rubbish bin.
- Title:
street furniture Doetinchem photo 2
Client:
Gemeente Doetinchem
Year: 2009
The alderman and the retailer searched through several different models, finally opting for a ‘De Rits’ bench and the corresponding rubbish bin. The purpose of the island is manifold; shoppers can take a moment to put down their grocery bags or friends can choose to hang out and relax in the city centre. Therefore, the bench has two (or more) sitting areas that satisfy the different needs.
- Title:
street furniture Doetinchem photo 3
Client:
Gemeente Doetinchem
Year: 2009
The ‘De Rits’ bench has a lounge section that faces the sunny side of the street. The other side faces the shopfronts (in the shade), so people can take a small break before continuing their shopping.
- Title:
street furniture Doetinchem photo 4
Client:
Gemeente Doetinchem
Year: 2009
The name is telling. The bench zips outwards from the pollarded sycamore tree. By doing so, the tree is brought forward, and the bench naturally protects the tree island. The bench is made of Locust wood, which is made locally (municipial deposit); and stainless steel.
- Title:
street furniture Doetinchem photo 5
Client:
Gemeente Doetinchem
Year: 2009
The ‘De Ui’ rubbish is designed to fulfil a long list of functional requirements. Three of these ultimately determined its shape. Firstly, it was made to contain 120 litres. Secondly, the rubbish bin cannot have posters plastered to it and has to be vandal resistant. Thirdly, the bin has to be easily accessible for children. Therefore, the opening cannot be higher than 1.10 metres in the air.
- Title:
street furniture Doetinchem photo 6
Client:
Gemeente Doetinchem
Year: 2009
The rubbish bin is built out of stainless steel and consists of an outer-coating of tubes with, on one side, protruding tapered rings (mimicking an onion). This coating ensures that one cannot put any posters on the bin. The rubbish bin has two openings at a height of 1.10 metres. The bin is fully closed and can only be opened with a relevant key. Once opened, the 120 litre container can easily be emptied.
- Title:
street furniture Doetinchem photo 7
Client:
Gemeente Doetinchem
Year: 2009
The ‘De Rits’ bench consists of several parts that can easily be put together. As such, one can choose to have a long bench, a bench with or without a tree, or a bench that twists either left or right. All the parts are replaceable – both the Locust wood and the steel joists. The bolts and nuts are made invisible.
