AWARD YEAR
2015
CATEGORY
Community
GOALS
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
KEYWORDS
shelters, homelessness
COUNTRY
Canada
DESIGNED BY
Raincity
WEBSITE
http://www.raincityhousing.org
RAINCITY Bench
A rampant urban problem can be solved in a civil way.
RainCity Housing is a Canadian organization that provides housing and support services for the homeless. To raise awareness about the issue, Vancouver's Spring Advertising created two out of home ads that recast the lowly park bench as a home -- which is how the homeless are forced to see it. One was functional: When it rained, it transformed into a shelter for those who needed it. Another used glow-in-the-dark paint so at night, the words "This is a Bedroom" would appear on it.