Modd 2 – Modern Modular Public Furniture
How might we recycle old road signs into public furniture everyone can use?
Iowa Prison Industries
Iowa’s road signs and public furniture are manufactured by offenders employed by Iowa Prison Industries. Road signs are damaged over time and are discarded without reuse.
Grant, Li, and I toured Animosa State Penitentiary to understand their procedures, materials, and capabilities.
Form Fighting Function
Turning road signs into furniture is nothing new.
Modern furniture is minimal, quiet, and meant to be forgotten. Road sign graphics bolted together are loud and attention grabbing. The contrast between the form and function fascinated me.
I designed the modules to enhance that contrast. The modules have a simple, geometric form with a loud, chaotic facade.
Modules of the Modd2
Having a Seat With Each Part
Road signs inspired the function as well as the form of each module. The steel posts still support the signs even after being recycled into furniture.
The signs and wood bolt to the steel frame to provide seating, rest, and visual stimuli.
Recycled wood providing comfort with a loud facade.
Recycled aluminum road signs.
Recycled galvanized steel posts for structural support.
Different arrangements of the various modules
Spacing for wheelchair users.
Seating between planters and bike racks.
Two seating in opposite directions surrounding a planter.