Subtle design is all around us. From accessible crosswalks to heated sidewalks, unseen engineering marvels enhance our daily lives and ensure our safety. Yet, many of these ingenious innovations often go unnoticed. Here’s a list of 10 amazing examples of hidden design from around the world that you probably didn’t know about!
Australia’s Pedestrian Buttons
Ever thought about the engineering behind crosswalks and traffic lights? Australia has ingeniously designed pedestrian buttons (PB/5) specifically for the hearing and vision impaired. Commissioned in 1984, these buttons use a two-rhythm buzzer and a vibrating touch panel, unlike traditional buttons with bell and buzzer sounds. A braille direction arrow is also included for vision-impaired pedestrians, making crosswalks safer and more intuitive for everyone.
Tokyo’s Cleverly Designed Disaster Parks
Born out of the Great Kyoto earthquake in 1923, Tokyo’s refuge parks are more than just green spaces. They serve as survival areas during crises, featuring solar-powered charging stations, manholes that convert into emergency toilets, and benches that double as cooking stoves. These parks also house food storehouses and water reservoirs, providing enough supplies for up to 72 hours. Hikarigaoka Park and Nakano Central Park have similar features, and Tokyo plans to expand these disaster-ready parks to 185 acres.
The Netherlands’ “Glow-in-the-Dark Smart Highway”
Driving at night can be dangerous, especially in poor weather. Dutch designers have introduced glow-in-the-dark smart highways to combat this. Designer Daan Roosegaarde created highways that use temperature-sensitive markings, wind indication lights, and induction coils to charge electric cars. The glow-in-the-dark markings use photoluminescent powder that stays bright for up to 10 hours, recharging with sunlight. This improves road safety and is environmentally friendly, perfect for areas where street lights are turned off to save energy. A 16-foot strip opened on the N329 in Oss in 2014.
A Chicago Neighborhood’s Heated Sidewalks
Chicago suburb Oak Park tackles winter’s icy challenges with heated sidewalks. Electric wiring and gas-fed systems are installed beneath the concrete, melting snow and ice to keep sidewalks dry and safe. Introduced in the 1970s, starting with LaSalle Street, these sidewalks have been well-received. Residents and businesses appreciate the reduced need for snow removal, leading to increased foot traffic and customer visits. While not yet widespread, there’s hope for future expansion.
Hong Kong’s Sustainable Rooftop Farms
In crowded Hong Kong, efficient use of space is crucial. Rooftop farms, co-created by Andrew Tsui of Rooftop Republic Urban Farming, transform underutilized spaces into productive gardens. Located on empty rooftops, these farms grow food for local farmers. By 2021, over 60 urban farms were in operation, utilizing spaces like shopping mall roofs and old helipads. These farms not only provide fresh produce but also foster community relationships through workshops, teaching residents how to care for their own rooftop gardens. With millions of square feet of unused rooftop space, the potential is enormous.
Oslo’s Bee Highway
Bees are vital for biodiversity. To protect endangered bee populations, Oslo, Norway, created bee highways. Environmental group Bybi designed these structures filled with nectar-bearing plants and flowers, providing safe routes for bees to travel between plants. Places like Abel’s Garden have incorporated these highways, offering a nourishing feeding ground. This is crucial, as about one-third of Norway’s 200 wild bee populations are endangered, threatening the country’s biodiversity and agriculture.
Rotterdam’s Water Squares
Rotterdam combats heavy flooding with innovative water squares. These squares serve dual purposes: recreation and water reserve. During rain, they collect and preserve rainwater. When dry, they become recreational areas for sports like basketball and skating, and even function as amphitheaters. This sustainable solution seamlessly integrates with daily life and nature, addressing both environmental and social needs.
Seoul’s Smart Lamps
Seoul enhances street lighting with smart lamps, providing more than just illumination. These smart poles offer Wi-Fi connectivity and electricity for charging phones, drones, and electric vehicles. By 2021, Seoul had 26 smart poles in six city areas, with plans for expansion. Equipped with CCTV cameras, these poles enhance security and increase internet access via free Wi-Fi. Even more features are planned for the future.
Japan’s Space-Saving Underground Bike Vaults
Japan addresses bike theft and storage issues with underground bike vaults. Developed by Eco-Cycle, these vaults operate as street-level kiosks, housing bikes 40 feet below ground in neat rows. Cyclists use a unique IC Tag smart card to quickly retrieve their bikes. The vault protects bikes from weather, earthquakes, and theft, costing only $25 a month—more affordable than car parking in Tokyo. These vaults are gaining popularity for their convenience and security.
The Netherlands’ Underground Trash Collection
The Netherlands streamlines trash collection by putting it underground. Trash containers connect to receptacles above ground, depositing waste into underground storage bins. This system protects trash from wildlife and eliminates the need for weekly trash can hauling. Special garbage trucks designed to empty these underground bins ensure a clean and efficient process, making trash collection easier for everyone.
From pedestrian buttons to underground trash systems, these hidden design examples showcase the ingenuity that shapes our world. These subtle innovations often go unnoticed but greatly improve safety, sustainability, and quality of life.
Which of these hidden designs surprised you the most? Leave your comment below!
