Function

The Wanderest is a seat or leaner that attaches to existing circular or octagonal lamp posts situated around rest homes and retirement villages. Lamp posts are an ideal resting point because they are at equal intervals along the footpath. If every lamp post along a street had a Wanderest it could be looked at as a goal for the elderly, to make it to the next resting spot. The identical panels are injection moulded form a recycled Wood Plastic Composite. This sustainable material is durable, cheap and rot resistant. The seat is installed at a perching height and are attached either directly with a bolt or clamped on with a steel strap. The Wanderest panels can be used on many structures including flat surfaces. This means it could be implemented in areas where you have to wait for short periods of times such as banks and hospitals.

Inspiration

The elderly population is growing at a rapid rate. In order to keep them healthy and mobile they need to do regular light exercise. Walking is an easy and cost efficient way to keep mobile and healthy but the elderly often need to break their walk up into manageable distances with small intervals to rest.

Development

This project began with in depth research into the elderly and how they keep active. It was noted that they struggled with existing public seating when out walking. Therefore further development was carried out to design a seat or percher for the elderly. Lampposts where chosen as a base for the seat to be installed on as they were placed at equal intervals along the footpath. From there, the Wanderest was developed with consideration to the ergonomic, aesthetic and functional requirements of the end users.