Why is there a bench inside the lake? 9 times designers outsmarted the city
We usually think of art as something to look at from a distance, but what if it’s something you can sit on, walk through, or use to knock on a door? Across the globe, visionaries are proving that functionality and creativity aren’t mutually exclusive.
These aren’t just decorations; they are urban upgrades that transform the “gray” of daily life into moments of pure surprise. From a 12-speed bicycle that guards a garden to a building that breathes through thousands of plants, here is how smart art is reshaping our world.
Check this out: Funny Signs (10 Photos)
1. The 12-Speed Gate
Who knew a vintage bicycle could be this secure? By welding a red 12-speed directly into the frame of a garden gate, the designer turned a piece of transport history into a striking piece of functional art. It’s the ultimate way to upcycle: keeping the wheels turning, even when they’re standing perfectly still.
2. The Mother’s Grip — Clun, England
In the small town of Clun, a rustic wooden door holds one of the most charming details you’ll ever see. This bronze door knocker depicts a mother cat carrying her kitten by the scruff.
3. The Liquid Labyrinth — London, UK
Artist Jeppe Hein turned a public square into a game of “water-roulette.” These interactive fountains form shifting walls of water that appear and disappear in unpredictable patterns. It’s a maze where the only way to navigate is to be patient—or get very, very wet. A perfect example of art inviting us to play like kids again.
🔗 Follow Jeppe Hein on Instagram
4. Gothic Satire — Belgium
Long before emojis, medieval sculptors were using gargoyles to express everything from fear to sarcasm. These “screaming” spouts in Belgium serve a dual purpose: they channel rainwater away from the cathedral walls while reminding everyone below that even the most serious architecture can have a sense of humor.
Hungry for more history?: 9 Hilarious Gargoyle Statues: Medieval Humor!
5. The Illusionist’s Rest — Switzerland
At first glance, it looks like a circular bench is floating helplessly in the water. In reality, it’s a brilliant piece of engineering. A submerged path allows you to walk “into” the lake and sit level with the water’s surface. It’s a surreal experience that offers a completely new perspective on the surrounding landscape.
6. The Living Building — Madrid, Spain
Patrick Blanc doesn’t just plant gardens; he makes buildings breathe. This massive vertical garden in Madrid is a lush, multi-story tapestry of botany and art. It doesn’t just look incredible—it also helps cool the building and filter city air, proving that the future of architecture is green.
🔗 Explore the work of Patrick Blanc
7. Urban First-Aid — Germany
Artist Jan Vormann travels the world “healing” crumbling walls with LEGO bricks. His project, Dispatchwork, highlights urban decay by filling the gaps with bright, primary colors. It’s a playful reminder that we can all take part in fixing the world around us, one plastic brick at a time.
🔗 Follow the Dispatchwork project on Instagram
8. Literary Lounging
Why sit on a slab of wood when you can sit inside a story? These “Book Benches” turn public parks into open-air libraries. Each bench is shaped like an open book, complete with printed text on the “pages.” It’s the perfect spot for bibliophiles to take a break and literally immerse themselves in literature.
9. The Rainy Day Lamp Post
Sometimes the most “smart” art is simply about empathy. This installation features a bent lamp post that holds a permanent umbrella over a park bench. It transforms a lonely piece of street furniture into a shelter, making sure that even on a rainy day, the city still feels like home.
More Inspiration: Amazing Murals (9 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.www.instagram.com
Funny Signs (10 Photos)
These playful public signs and sidewalk setups aren’t just jokes — they’re proof that humor thrives in everyday urban spaces. From a stick-sharing library for dogs to a parody of the Hollywood dream in front of a drab apartment block, these interventions surprise, mock, or comfort with absurdity. Featured locations include Sweden, Belarus, and North America, showcasing how universal cleverness can be — especially when it’s scribbled in chalk or stuck to a pole.
More!: Funny Signs (15 Photos)
1. A Wise Doctor Once Wrote
A black sandwich board sign outside a building reads: “A WISE DOCTOR ONCE WROTE” followed by an illegible scribble mimicking a doctor’s handwriting.
2. Invisible Man With Flip-Flops
On a busy sidewalk, two flip-flops rest neatly on a cloth-covered stool. In front is a cardboard sign: “INVISIBLE NAKED MAN WITH FLIP-FLOPS,” and a donation box half-filled with coins.
3. All Americans Must Be Accompanied
A street sign written in chalk outside a café says: “All Americans must be accompanied by an adult.”
4. Bad Art Burning Invitation
Posted to a telephone pole, this flyer reads: “WATCH ME BURN ALL OF MY ART IN A BIG PILE IN MY FRONT YARD.”
5. Gary Come Home
A lost pet poster features Gary the snail from SpongeBob SquarePants, with the simple plea “Gary, come home.” The sign references a famous emotional scene from the cartoon, turning nostalgia into public art.
6. Dog Library
Next to a tree, a small wooden sign reads: “DOG LIBRARY. Take a stick. Leave a stick.” Below it is a neatly arranged pile of branches. A simple but imaginative way to delight passing dogs — and their humans.
7. No Don Quixote Zone
This official-looking sign bans figures resembling Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on horseback. Positioned near a windmill, it playfully references Cervantes’ iconic scene while suggesting the windmill doesn’t need defending.
8. Link Crossing Warning
A modified traffic warning sign by Pappas Pärlor, shows Link from The Legend of Zelda riding a horse with sword and shield raised. It’s a street art remix that replaces the usual generic rider with a pixelated game character.More by Pappas Pärlor: 90 Pixel Art Masterpieces: Pappas Pärlor’s Perler Bead Street Takeover
9. Musical Crosswalk Sign
A pedestrian crossing sign by Etisk Vandalism, has been creatively altered: its stripes now resemble piano keys flowing into musical notes, with a miniature figure dancing on top. A whimsical twist that adds rhythm to a routine crossing.
10. Hollywood
In front of a grey Soviet-style apartment block, a mound of dirt features large white letters spelling “HOLLYWOOD.” It’s a sarcastic jab at glamour and reality — a mock version of the iconic sign in a place far from California.More: Playing With Statues (10 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
