Urban Design for Connection: Lessons from Dutch Design Week

In Eindhoven’s Strijp-S district, construction barriers became public seating during Dutch Design Week 2023. The project, Take a Seat, led by Studio Plastique, used modular wooden slats to create benches from barriers.

Visitors lingered, enjoying meals from food trucks and resting amid the design week’s busy schedule. “It’s a simple gesture, but one that changes the way people move through and inhabit a space,” said Thomas Wynants, co-founder of Studio Plastique, during a panel discussion on October 25.

Take a Seat tackled urban design challenges, including temporary infrastructure and public engagement. Construction projects often disrupt pedestrian flows, creating uninviting dead zones. By modifying barriers, Studio Plastique demonstrated that transitional spaces can foster meaningful interactions.

Urban design has historically overlooked community input. Public spaces should belong to everyone, yet many are created without inclusive consultation. Dutch Design Week, held annually since 1998, increasingly confronts these issues. Its 2023 theme, Beyond Borders, urged participants to examine social and political limits in design.

Accessibility emerged as a key topic. Eindhoven Municipality collaborated with the festival to implement initiatives like wider pathways and tactile indicators for visually impaired attendees. These efforts received mixed feedback. “We need to ensure these ideas don’t just stay prototypes,” said urban sociologist Saskia Sassen, who delivered the festival’s keynote.

Studio Plastique’s approach reflects a tradition of adaptive reuse. The materials for Take a Seat came from local suppliers, with slats made from FSC-certified pine. After the festival ended on October 29, the modified barriers were moved to a community park, ensuring the project’s longevity.

This practice mirrors trends beyond the Netherlands. In Medellín, Colombia, crime hotspots have become public libraries through participatory design. In Melbourne, Australia, service vehicle-dominated laneways now host outdoor dining. Wynants states, “We’re inspired by global examples, but the question is always, how do we adapt them to local needs?”

The funding model for Take a Seat is notable. It combined municipal grants and private sponsorships, including hardware retailer Gamma. This hybrid model reveals both opportunities and constraints for public design interventions. Smaller communities lacking resources may struggle to replicate such projects.

Critics pointed out the initiative's limited scale. While praised at Dutch Design Week, Take a Seat only impacted a small area. Critics questioned its potential in less curated urban settings. “The true test is whether such interventions can be normalized outside of festival contexts,” said Sassen.

Ultimately, the project sparked dialogue. By reimagining an overlooked urban element, it encouraged visitors to envision more inclusive public spaces. As Wynants stated, “Even small changes can shift how we experience a city. What matters is building momentum toward larger transformations.”