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Today's Urban Design Observation: Failures of Design Lead to the Need for Aftermarket Products

By Rain Noe - December 6, 2017

in Urbanism

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The storefront for this appointment-only, high-end jewelry store in SoHo has a shabby appearance.

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The black paint probably looked chic for the first week after it was applied. But now it is chipped and peeling, and we see that black is a poor choice because it readily shows dust. The paint is also peeling on the "Fuck Off, Don't Sit Here" protuberances.

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About those protuberances. The job of the designer is to create a space that serves the client's needs. But these windows have been set back, meaning passersby can sit on the sill. This store doesn't want that, so has installed the protuberances.

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I inspected them and they are made from injection-molded plastic. They, too, have not weathered well and are cracking.

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Reader Mike pointed out that these protuberances are plastic closure strips like these, used for corrugated roofing. If the designer had anticipated the client's needs, there would be no need for them to have purchased and installed these strips. But because the need was unanswered, the closure strip company is able to make some extra sales, and some handyman or carpenter is then hired to install them. A failure of design, then, has unwittingly contributed to the economy.

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Sean Thackston

7 years ago

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I don't know that this is a failure of design per se. The building was probably there well before the tenant moved in. Who's to say the original occupant didn't enjoy sitting on the window sill him or herself after a long day.

In my mind, it seems more like they were trying to repurpose something on a budget. Granted, if it's a fancy jewelry store, you would expect they'd have some money and be able to afford a bigger renovation; one that included more than a can of paint and a trip to Home Depot.

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amunta nul

7 years ago

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A "failure of design" is also responsible for the creation of the word: retrofit.

Verb; add (a component or accessory) to something that did not have it when manufactured.

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Mike Euzent

7 years ago

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No, the strips are not special. They are closure strips you used to support corrugated roofing. You can find them at Home Depot. They have been repurposed to keep people from sitting.

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- Rain Noe
  
  Mike Euzent
  
  7 years ago
  
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  Will update the post to reflect this. Thanks Mike!
  
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