Bizarre Inventions That Somehow Got the Green Light

8. Is It a Bench or a Moat?

For the bulk of students at this university, these benches are definitely a great convenience on a sunny and warm summer day. Before they dash off to class, many are spotted reading or studying, or just lounging and sipping some coffee. The friendly layout promotes socialising and offers a much-needed break from the busyness of university life. Until these poorly built benches have to deal with a rainy day, everything is great. Their intriguing shape runs backwards, providing maximum comfort until you discover there is no drainage for the water accumulating. This control turns a peaceful lounging area into an unintentional water element, therefore lessening the whole experience. The designers of these benches apparently missed one small detail. Maybe they were more concerned with comfort and appearance than with the pragmatic features required for outside furniture. Perhaps they enjoyed the concept of a bench shaped like a moat or assumed they lived in the desert. This situation reminds us that functional design has to include environmental elements to produce areas that, independent of the weather, are pleasant and useful for every user.