Sculptural seating concept keeps post-COVID socialising safe

The curvy benches combine art, function and nature for attractive social distancing options

Spotted: Nature-focused art and design practice Studio Hai have created the NOMO FOMO seats for safe, post-COVID socialising. As vaccination rates increase globally, more and more people are envisioning a return to public events in the near future. NOMO FOMO acknowledges the year-long lack of cultural activities with a name that stands for “No More Fear Of Missing Out”.

Designed as an entry to Atlanta’s BeltLine 2020 Public Art Programme, the concept’s curved seats can look like both a smile or a frown, depending on which direction the half-circle is placed. Incorporating nature into the design adds to the sculptural feel of the seats, and the Studio chose plants that thrive in Atlanta’s humidity and heat.

Made from aluminium frames covered in hard-coated expanded polystyrene, the benches come in two colours and are installed two metres apart, to encourage continued social distancing.

Easing back into the community and out of the home is likely to take time for some people. A number of new designs seek to help make that transition easier by emphasising a continuation of safety. Recent examples we have seen here at Springwise include the far-UVA light that cleans outdoor air and an AI-powered platform that alerts users to real-time safety concerns for each area in use, such as office meeting rooms and desk space.

Explore more: Architecture & Design Innovations | COVID-19 Innovations