Have A Seat NC

Construction Photos

2009-04-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

Many Thanks!

2008-05-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to mention that the charrette yesterday was well-attended and generated lots of great ideas! We'll be meeting with the City and Transit Authority to move forward with design approval and start working on modifications, construction and installation.

Many thanks to AIA Triangle for supplying the materials (and snacks) for the event... and to Accent Imaging and Imaging Technologies for printing our flyers and cards. I'd also like to say that yesterday would not have been possible without the time and dedication of many people, and the understanding and support of their employers!

The YAF and 'Have a Seat' were briefly mentioned on the 7 pm news this past Friday. The text and video for the full piece can be found HERE

Potential Sites

2008-04-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

Millbank Road @ Burgundy map

Fayetteville Street @ Bragg map

Method Road @ Western Boulevard map

History of Have a Seat NC

2008-04-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

The Have a Seat project all started with a newspaper article and an idea. Henry Newell, an intern with PBC+L in Raleigh, read a disturbing article in the News & Observer which painted a picture of people sitting on shopping carts or precariously standing in the street while waiting for the bus. The link to this article, by Josh Shaffer, can be found on our main page.

At the time this article was published, a few of the local young interns were trying to create an informal gathering to talk architecture. Although Raleigh has a surplus of young talent, there are very few creative outlets for that talent. The big question was, could AIA Triangle help provide an outlet to the young architects in the area? Could the AIA help to establish a community service oriented design build project that solved both problems simultaneously? Would young architects in the area come together to use their design talents and building knowledge to design and build bus stop benches?

A lot has transpired since Henry first brought the idea to me, as director of the Young Architects Forum. We met with representatives from Capital Area Transit and the City of Raleigh Transit Authority to gain a better understanding of how they work, what they need and how to best serve the community through this project. The program goal is to provide a desperately needed service to the public and enrich the discourse between the community and the local architects. Also, the project will provide a vehicle for intern architects to fulfill their volunteer service requirements for the Intern Development Program.

Currently, Capital Area Transit, on average, spends $200 per bus bench. Through the use of innovative design, volunteer labor, recycled materials and some AIA sponsorship, we hope to offer an alternative that speaks meaningfully to the community while balancing those real budgetary challenges. The project will be a huge success if just a few benches are constructed in this first year.

Have A Seat NC

2008-04-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Red dots represent locations under consideration.