The engineers at Dutch design firm HIK Ontwerpers clearly know how boring, stressful and generally uncomfortable commuting can be. Why not inject some childish bemusement into the whole process?
Installed at Overvecht Station in Utrecht, Netherlands, this kid's slide was designed to speed up the commuting process for business people in the congested city. But don't let the designers hear you call it a slide; they've renamed it a "transfer accelerator" in light of the adults who use it.
Though the transfer accelerator might lose some of its practicality during Utrecht's rainier seasons, for now it's receiving glowing reviews from the city's subway passengers and commuters. Whether this design concept could be implemented in cities with more urban decay or vandalization is another proposition altogether.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Urban Playgrounds
- Creating whimsical installations in public spaces to add playfulness and fun to the commuting experience.
- Child-inspired Design
- Applying childlike concepts and aesthetics to adult products and experiences.
- Alternative Transit Options
- Developing unique solutions to ease the stress of urban transport and encourage ridership.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Urban Design
- Using playful and creative designs to transform otherwise mundane urban spaces.
- Transportation
- Opening up unique and engaging transit options to ease the stress of commuting.
- Hospitality
- Incorporating playful and whimsical elements into hotels and other hospitality spaces to appeal to guests seeking playful and unique experiences.
