Vancouver Public Space Network » roundhouse https://vancouverpublicspace.ca Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:46:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 IN PHOTOS: Benches of Yaletown https://vancouverpublicspace.ca/2014/10/04/in-photos-benches-of-yaletown/ https://vancouverpublicspace.ca/2014/10/04/in-photos-benches-of-yaletown/#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2014 15:00:37 +0000 http://vancouverpublicspace.ca/?p=5389 photos and captions by Adam O’Neill
Few objects in our public spaces invite us to stop and enjoy them as effectively as seating. Public spaces contain a wide variety of furnishings that let us take a load off and enjoy our surroundings. It’s this diversity of furniture in public spaces that I’m hoping to celebrate and document one neighbourhood at a time in a series titled “Benches of…” First up is Yaletown.
This bench is located in Yaletown Park. It’s a perfect perch to watch the pigeons from and is quite comfortable for sitting (not lying down, a very uncomfortable siesta spot).

This bench is located in Yaletown Park. It’s a perfect perch to watch the pigeons from and is quite comfortable for sitting (not lying down, a very uncomfortable siesta spot).

 

Mainland Street has a wonderful diversity of backless benches. It’s quite common on a happening saturday night to see 6-8 folks cozied up on a backless bench taking a breather. A very flexible piece of street furniture.

Mainland Street has a wonderful diversity of backless benches. It’s quite common on a happening saturday night to see 6-8 folks cozied up on a backless bench taking a breather. A very flexible piece of street furniture.

 

Another bench along Mainland Street. Made from a single giant piece of wood and two pieces of rusted steel it really harkens back to the industrial history of Yaletown. I call this one the “leaning pyramid bench” as in, that pyramid sure looks good to lean up against.

Another bench along Mainland Street. Made from a single giant piece of wood and two pieces of rusted steel it really harkens back to the industrial history of Yaletown. I call this one the “leaning pyramid bench” as in, that pyramid sure looks good to lean up against.

 

These red loungers can be flipped on their sides to make L shaped backless benches and can be moved. These are definitely the most fun pieces of furniture in Yaletown!

These red loungers can be flipped on their sides to make L shaped backless benches and can be moved. These are definitely the most fun pieces of furniture in Yaletown!

 

Here’s a shot of a lounger in lounge mode. A very comfortable way to enjoy a great public space.

Here’s a shot of a lounger in lounge mode. A very comfortable way to enjoy a great public space.

 

The Roundhouse Turntable Plaza is the home to these funky loungers. The Plaza was re-opened in 2012 after a long re-imagining process. It is so much more useable now, love it!

The Roundhouse Turntable Plaza is the home to these funky loungers. The Plaza was re-opened in 2012 after a long re-imagining process. It is so much more useable now, love it!

 

This is an example of the standard Yaletown seawall bench. They are reasonably comfy and there are lots of them!

This is an example of the standard Yaletown seawall bench. They are reasonably comfy and there are lots of them!

 

Benches with a water view. The quintessential Vancouver public furniture. Sit down, stare off and relax.

Benches with a water view. The quintessential Vancouver public furniture. Sit down, stare off and relax.

 

These two benches may look like the last two examples of the standard Yaletown seawall bench but there is a major difference. They are almost 20 years younger and have been orientated in such a way that encourages engagement. They also have great water views!

These two benches may look like the last two examples of the standard Yaletown seawall bench but there is a major difference. They are almost 20 years younger and have been orientated in such a way that encourages engagement. They also have great water views!

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