# Furniture-Kiosk Hybrids 'Just a Black Box' Doubles as Street Seats and Retail Kiosks By Ady Floyd | Published 2015-09-28 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-a-black-box References: [stealmag](http://stealmag.com/architecture/224460.html) & [lockerdome](https://lockerdome.com/6553689557045825/8058246598638612) Creative designers Tomaso Boano and JOnas prišmontas came up with this conceptual idea to build 'Just a Black Box,' which is actually a hybrid of [street furniture and a kiosk](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiroshima-architecture-exhibition). The idea was inspired by the desire to utilize the dwindling urban spaces. Just a Back Box is essentially a large square that has been shaved into [seating areas for the community](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-furniture1) to relax in. However, when the seats are not being used, the skin of the furniture can be lifted to reveal a store-like stand that can be used for commercial or public use. The design makes use of by hydraulic columns that the seating area can easily be lifted to become a versatile space for a [cozy cafe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valley-fair-kiosk), a bike repair shop or a ticket booth. This unique concept provides a conventional and purposeful area in which to conduct daily activities from shopping to relaxing. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Hybrid Street Furniture:** The concept of blending seating areas with retail kiosks or stores creates a versatile and functional urban space. - **Multipurpose Urban Space:** Maximizing urban spaces by incorporating dual functionalities in design increases accessibility to commercial and community areas. - **Modular Furniture Design:** Adopting a modular design approach in creating urban furniture increases flexibility, allowing adaptation to changing needs and growing populations. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Urban Planning and Design:** The concept of hybrid street furniture holds promise in encouraging the efficient use of urban spaces for community and business activities. - **Retail:** Incorporating modular kiosks or stores as part of street furniture increase accessibility to retail in high-traffic or crowded urban areas. - **Hospitality:** The modular design approach in creating street furniture can enable businesses to transition to hybrid spaces that offer food and beverage services for customers looking for urban relaxation spots. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [City-Honoring Furniture Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/symbiotic-urban-furniture-project.md) - [Sliding Grid-Affixed Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/square-to-square.md) - [Hybrid Sofa Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adaptable-sofa-system.md) - [Dual-Function Seating Shelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rubik-stool.md) - [Cardboard Box-Transformed Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/box-exhibition.md) - [AI-Powered Cityscape Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-urban-furniture.md) - [Dual-Sided Storage Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bond-stool-system.md) - [Compact Furniture Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boxed-collection.md) - [Inclusive Modular Cityscape Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-bench.md)