As part of a £3.3M pound project, the architecture and urban design practice East commenced work to improve Sutton High Street in April 2009.
As I walked through the high street yesterday, it is clear that that the Jekyll and Hyde John Pawson / “bring the park into the high street” theme is not only incoherent and confusing but the street furniture is also not durable.
The minimalist street furniture such as the street lanterns are overly tall for pedestrian street lights and cannot bear the weight of hanging baskets. Hanging baskets have been a feature in the high street for several years so it is surprising that this has been overlooked.
The rubbish and recycling bins have a similar minimalist feel with a shiny aluminium surface, but observing them only a few weeks after they have been installed they have not worn well.
Good design:
- is innovative
- makes a product useful
- is aesthetic
- makes a product understandable
- is unobtrusive
- is honest
- is long-lasting
- is thorough down to the last detail
- is environmentally friendly
- is as little design as possible