Rest for a while...

If you work in design, you think about ‘simplicity’ a lot.

Designers constantly strive to cut through the creative noise to get to that place.

There are endless quotes about it. 118 million the last time I googled.

Including this one below by Lao Tzu

This quote jumped right into my head when I read about the winner of the  if design award for the year 2020.

I’ll be honest this story made me cry. There is nothing more vulnerable, precious and often overlooked than our elderly citizens.

The ‘rest for a while’ staircase handrail was designed by SJDC which stands for the Shenzhen Jingwei innovation design company won the award for their ‘rest a while’ staircase handrail.

As is often the case, the idea is so simple you can’t believe that no one has thought of it before.

When we used to live at the top of a very steep hill. My mum would often stop halfway up with the pretence of looking in her handbag. We all still say that if we are struggling to climb something - “ give me a minute, I’m just going to check in my handbag” My brother included : ]

By making a simple adjustment to the traditional design of a staircase, it serves to create a resting place for users that may struggle to climb. The ‘rest for a while’ staircase alters parts of the handrail to create a seat where people can take a break.

SJDC see it as a way to make staircases more accessible for older users or those with a physical disability. The came up with the idea to specifically tackles residential buildings in China, many of which are not equipped with elevators.

By redesigning the existing stair railings, you only need to add a little bit of material to allow tired people the chance to sit down and rest, it could also help to encourage people to use the stairs instead of only using elevators to keep them active…

Now I know this would not be without its problems. It could prove tricky for people with visual impairment or there may be a threat of people losing their balance and falling down but at its heart, this is an idea that displays simplicity, patience and compassion and in these trying times that can only be a good thing.

Big Love

Queen Marie

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