ICM - Leeds Design Agency

Commissioned by Midlands Architecture & Design Environment and the Government office for the West Midlands, architects Sjolander da Cruz teamed up with engineering consultancy Buro Happold and Gwen Heeney the senior lecturer in ceramics at the University of Wolverhampton, to create a simple yet unique shelter that offers refuge for kids where they can meet and discuss their day, or possibly studies, with their friends and classmates. Located at a skate park in Wolverhampton, the Wolves shelter features undulating wave-like steel cantilevers over a brick terraced seating plinth, giving it a modern but at the same time natural design. The £75,000 project not only offers a personal space for kids to chill out with friends in the heart of the Midlands town, but also adds something unique to the area.

As long as it doesn’t encourage them to start hunting in packs I think this is a really good idea. Nearly every time you see teenagers at bus stops or benches they always seem to have found a unusual way to sit on them. The durability of the seating plinth and different heights they can sit at are perfect for the pack.

Maybe other places could follow suit, the Isle of Dogs, could have the dog basket. Catford near London could have the scratching post, then again maybe not.