2023 Galleries
The Spark Gallery pages are one of our most popular design destinations, with thousands of visitors each year. Check out some of the latest Spark entries, in the galleries below.
Galleries // 2023 Spark:Spring Student // Wait Wise
Wait Wise
Winner - Platinum
Competition: Spark:Spring Student
Designer: Haiwen Yang
Design Type: Spaces: architecture, interiors, landscape, Public Utilities
Company / Organization / School: Pratt Institute
Website: http://www.haiwendesign.com
Team Members: Haiwen Yang
To improve the public transport waiting experience for senior citizens in New York City (NYC), I co-designed with them to create the Wait Wise. It is a senior-friendly waiting space where older adults can wait together comfortably, forming a sense of community. "Wait Wise" consists of a foldable seat and ADA grab bar, providing a modular solution that can be flexibly installed in various station settings in the city. The ADA grab bar can be installed on existing benches to adjust armrests to the appropriate height for older adults, aiding easy sitting and standing. The Wait Wise seat is higher than existing benches, with two height options available to provide maximum comfort for the diverse population. The seat opens by tapping a Reduced Fare MetroCard and automatically folds when not in use, ensuring it is available for passengers with specific needs. When the seat is folded and locked, anyone can use it as a leaning rail. A speaker is integrated to enhance the clarity of announcements. The sustainable seat is made by upcycling removed benches.
JUDGES COMMENTS:
Wait Wise was the highest vote score of all the Spring 2023 entries and judged "The Greatest Student Design of 2023."
Congratulations on a design well done, Haiwen! --The Spark Jury
"Amazingly well researched and practical solution to a real problem seniors deal with." "Great topic and a much needed product type." "Simple design and effective, truly needed in public spaces..."
