Architecture and Homelessness: A Misguided Relationship | Rory Thomas | TEDxUniversityofManchester

"Good design should be invisible" is a common idea thrown about, but have you ever considered the negative implications of this? Architecture and homelessness are fundamentally linked to each other, however, in the modern day this seems to be for the worse with hostile architecture frequenting more of our urban landscape. In this talk the relationship between the two and the need for a re-evaluation of such is discussed using reference to projects with both positive and negative impact.
Video credits: 2Beards Film and Video Production.
Rory Thomas is a second-year architecture student at the Manchester School of Architecture. He is talking as a member of and on behalf of the group WOAH (Without a Home), a student-led initiative that aims to raise awareness and provide creative solutions to the homeless community, within and out of Manchester.
The group was created and is based within the architecture school but emphasises collaboration both inside and out of the discipline.
At the moment WOAH is collaborating with an artist that was previously homeless, Ollie Martin, and the firm Architecture Unknown on their latest project ‘Sounds of the Streets’. This is a crowdfunded project to create a walkable space to listen to Ollie’s soundscapes within. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@livhayes608]

This was a great talk, not only highlighting an issue but presenting ways we can try and combat it even if only on an individual level. I'm glad somebody has dedicated their skills to such a worthy issue :)

[@isidoreaerys8745]

Best talk on hostile architecture yet!

[@1RobertSmith]

Some people have nothing better to do with their lives than to invent methods to hinder those in society who are the least of these. Keep up the hard work. God has a special reward for you

[@robinusher5707]

Note - curved benches were piloted in the financial district of Los Angeles in 1989 and have spread like a rash since then

[@isidoreaerys8745]

Robin Usher seems people often equate hostile architecture to cruelty and discrimination but often fail to recognize the effects it has on lay people which is social engineering and keeping everyone moving on the productive path of state capitalism.

[@robinusher5707]

@@isidoreaerys8745 "State" capitalism?

[@emilystephenson3094]

Amazing