Be Seated

In ‘Be Seated’, Laurie Olin writes of his long-standing interest in public seating in parks and civic spaces. He shares his insights into seemingly ordinary elements of these places, and how they intersect with our individual lives and experiences. An expert treatise on a niche topic, Olin’s analysis of the importance of public seating goes beyond their aesthetic or comfort value. He explores how public seating influences our social conduct, our role as citizens, and our establishment of place and community. AUTHOR: Landscape architect Laurie Olin lives in Philadelphia, where he has taught at the University of Pennsylvania for forty years. His award-winning designs include Bryant Park in New York, the Getty Center in Los Angeles, and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia.