25 Examples Of “Friendly Architecture” That Make The World A Better Place To Be

Many modern architects are obsessed with building the tallest skyscrapers possible. But while some reach for the sky, others reach out to those in need.

These examples of “friendly architecture” put humanity over aesthetics — though their designs are pretty to look at, too. The projects emphasize safety, accessibility, and convenience for all people and animals.

The result is an environment far more welcoming to everyone, including people with disabilities, the unhoused, and the wildlife whose homes have been displaced by urbanization.

Keep going for some wholesome examples of friendly architecture that will help restore your faith in humanity.

See more: r/friendlyarchitecture

1. In case this counts: braille on the rail to describe the view

2. Sympathetic Architecture

3. It’s Not For People But It’s Still Friendly

4. Parent + Child library carrel, so you can do your research and keep your little one occupied. Fairfield Library, Virginia, USA.

5. Friendly on the eyes

6. Pool and Water Slide, Egmont Højskolen (“Folk High School”), Western Denmark.

7. Wheelchair friendly sandboxes, various

8. Wildlife Overpass, Trans-Canada Highway, Banff National Park, Canada. The 38 passes and fencing have reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions by more than 80%

9. Homeless bench, Vancouver, Canada

10. In Norway you get a small amount of money for recycling bottles/cans. They’re often collected by poor people, homeless etc. A lot of our trash cans has these holders around them so people don’t have to search through the trash to collect them

11. Modskool – Design Museum winner for best architecture 2020, India

12. Teetertotters Slotted Through the U.S.-Mexico Border Wall by Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello

13. In Asia nobody has to worry about falling into the subway tracks.

14. Hedgehog Highway (Dolly Parton called these out this week), UK

15. this anti-climbing Fence on the” Suicide Bridge “(colloquially) in a small town England. there are also signs with suicide Hotlines on them. not a fun part of architecture but definitely helpful/saving lives.

16. Old City, Jerusalem added 4km of wheelchair-accessible routes in 2019 (and cleared it with UNESCO)

17. The tiles around our apartment complex is made up like the enemies in Space Invaders, Sweden

18. Cover for bicycle saddle so it doesn’t get wet when it rains

19. A friendly urban cycle path in Girona

20. Wall of Kindness, Norwich, Vermont, USA

21. These two coin lockers that are easily accessible in a wheelchair, Austria

22. Circular footbridge over roundabout, Shanghai

23. This drinking fountain allows you to gill your bottle, and saves the extra water for passing dogs.

24. These public benches are reversible, so you can choose to look at people, or boats.

25. Bioswale, Seattle WA. (A channel to concentrate, clean and move stormwater)

Read More: 39 Cool And Hilarious Crochet Projects That Prove It Ain’t Just Your Grandma’s Hobby Anymore