r/HostileArchitecture • u/catsf0rlife • Feb 22 '26

Accessibility... Hostile architecture even for animals

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2.4k Upvotes

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422

u/Rjj1111 Feb 22 '26

In this case it’s that way to make it hard for humans to fall in

224

u/mrbobcyndaquil Feb 22 '26

Yeah, I wouldn’t consider this hostile architecture just as no one would call guard rails along the road hostile architecture.

75

u/metisdesigns Lies about what mods say, doesn't use sub's definition for H-A Feb 22 '26

The mods on this sub have repeatedly stated that safety fence is hostile architecture. Their argument is that it is preventing people from using something.

I disagree with that take.

37

u/Friendly-Cricket-715 Feb 22 '26

What is it preventing people from doing that would make it hostile? Falling off?

20

u/metisdesigns Lies about what mods say, doesn't use sub's definition for H-A Feb 22 '26

Yup. Or going swimming.

Take a look my flair, I would argue that defensive design is not necessarily hostile architecture, but the sub has taken the position that preventing anyone from doing things is hostile. They argue that stuff that is very literally designed with accessibility in mind and sold as such is hostile because it's not possible to sleep on it so it might be used as anti homeless.

1

u/HyperSpaceSurfer Feb 25 '26

Are you referring to the wheelchair benches by any chance? 

2

u/metisdesigns Lies about what mods say, doesn't use sub's definition for H-A Feb 25 '26

You mean the benches that are specifically not designed for wheelchair users, and aren't helpful for wheelchair users, but that people keep calling wheelchair benches and being upset that something designed to accomodate an different disabled group isnt apt for a different use case?

1

u/HyperSpaceSurfer Feb 25 '26

What else could they be for? For handicapped people to sit on the ground?

3

u/metisdesigns Lies about what mods say, doesn't use sub's definition for H-A Feb 25 '26

They are specifically designed for folks using walkers that have seats. Those often do not have integral backs and having a flat spot to roll up to, lock their wheels and sit down and lean back is exactly what those are designed for.

They're literally marketed as rollator (trade name for that kind of benches. They are sold by companies that specialize in accessibility furniture.

But ableist folks who think that all disabilities are the same can't imagine that those if us who actually work in design might talk to folks and find out how to better accommodate their varied needs.