Urban Activators | Urban Furniture

Alongside Illinois Institute of Technology’s Interprofessional Projects Program, Urban Juncture and local block clubs, Civic Projects took on the challenge of designing and implementing urban furniture that would do more than simply provide people with a place to sit. Looking to spur activity and challenge common perceptions about Bronzille, the Urban Activators team created a system of portable lightweight furniture that includes common pieces like chairs, as well as less common items like game tables and furniture storage bins. Understanding that the issues of community perception stretch beyond the built environment, the team also created questions for public debate. The first of these—“I wish 43rd Street was…”— was unveiled on a series of chalkboards at the July 2012 launch of the project. The community continues to use the urban furniture for public events, drawing local and national attention to the adjacent historic Forum Building.