Palenstein Community Sofas: Designed by and for the Neighborhood
The colorful community benches in Palenstein have been gathering spots for residents for years. As part of the neighborhood’s renovation, the benches were also given a fresh new look.
Artist Tobias from Urban Art Studio collaborated with the 8th-grade class at IKC De Kasteeltuyn to develop a new design for the social sofa. The students first created their own drawings based on their ideas about Palenstein. These drawings served as the basis for three designs, which were ultimately combined into a single final design.
The result is a social sofa that, according to the children themselves, embodies what Palenstein stands for: diversity, a sense of community, playing sports together, and getting to know one another.
The project beautifully illustrates how art and culture contribute to a sense of ownership and community in the neighborhood. It wasn’t created for the residents, but together with them.
This project is a collaboration between the City of Zoetermeer, Urban Art Studio, IKC De Kasteeltuyn, and Wijck.
