The Design Problem
Segovia's bus stops lack accessible seating — especially for elderly residents. Uneven cobblestone terrain, unpredictable weather, and poles designed solely for signage create barriers that leave many riders with no option but to stand.
Research
Citizen Research — 14 Interviews
- Lack of seating was raised consistently across newer and more peripheral areas of the city
- The problem was felt most acutely during unpredictable or delayed arrivals
- Three participants specifically mentioned difficulty on rainy days when cobblestones become slippery
- Results confirmed the problem was widespread enough to justify a permanent design solution
Key Insights
- 68% of surveyed users were over 60 — the majority of the waiting population
- Key pain points: prolonged standing, weather exposure, and no stable surface to lean against
- Existing bench solutions fail on Segovia's sloped and uneven historic terrain
- Any solution must work without modifying existing infrastructure
Target Users
Maria, 72
Spanish resident — uses the bus 3–4 times weekly for errands and doctor visits.
Has mild arthritis that makes long periods of standing painful. Concerned about slipping on wet cobblestones. Values predictability in public transport.
Frustration: The lack of bus stop seating makes commuting increasingly difficult.
Luis, 65
Recently retired teacher — uses public transit daily as his primary mode of transport.
Has back pain that worsens significantly with prolonged standing. Appreciates thoughtful urban design that considers all citizens.
Frustration: Longer waits are increasingly hard to manage without anywhere to sit.
Ideation
Three concept directions were developed, mapped on a shared flipchart, and evaluated against usability, durability, and the spatial constraints of real Segovia bus stop poles.
V1 — Foldable Chair Attachment
A compact seat that folds out from the pole. Minimal footprint — does not require clear space around the pole.
Pros: Foldable, compact, weather-resistant.
Cons: Seats at most two people. Complex anti-theft attachment mechanism. Difficult to maintain.
V2 — Pull Bench
An extendable bench that slides out from the pole base, allowing more people to sit side by side.
Pros: Can accommodate more people than V1.
Cons: Vulnerable to weather damage and vandalism. Structurally difficult to make durable at low cost.
V3 — Modular Doughnut Segments
Quarter-circle segments that ring the pole, using its full footprint. Modular — any number can be deployed depending on available space.
Pros: Seats the most people. Easiest to maintain. Adapts to site conditions.
Cons: Larger footprint — not all poles have sufficient clear space around them.
Concept Selection
A follow-up vote with 14 participants confirmed V3 as the direction to develop.
Design Development
Sketching
Sketches explored methods of attachment to the pole and how seat segments could extend or retract — letting the team eliminate ideas early that could not be realised or did not truly solve the problem.
The process revealed a critical structural requirement: each segment would need its own independent leg system to cope with uneven terrain.
The Terrain Problem
The original full-ring doughnut could not level on Segovia's uneven cobblestone. A rigid ring on an uneven surface rocks — or tips. The solution was to split the ring into four independent quarter-circle segments, each with its own adjustable legs. Every segment finds its own footing regardless of the ground beneath it.
3D Modeling
Before any physical prototype, each concept was modelled in Rhino. 3D modelling revealed structural problems — complex attachment geometry and unclear part movement — that were invisible in two-dimensional sketches. The digital model became the source for both laser-cut profiles and 3D-printed frame components.
Making Process
Four stages took the concept from paper to a 3D-printed and laser-cut physical model, testing the design at increasing levels of resolution and material fidelity.
Cardboard Prototyping
Paper and cardboard models tested the ring-to-pole relationship and segment locking — first at 1:10, then 1:5. Cardboard allowed rapid iteration: cut, test, and revise without committing to any final material.
Laser Cutting & 3D Printing
The structural frame was 3D-printed directly from the Rhino model. The seat slats were laser-cut from wood veneer board. Produced at the IE University FabLab — combining both materials at final scale for the first time.
Scaled Model
Scale figures placed on the assembled model confirmed seating capacity, human proportion, and sight lines — communicating the design's usability without a full-size prototype. The model demonstrated three segments deployed around a single pole.
Final Design
Quarter-circle segments clamp around the existing sign pole — each with independently adjustable legs that level the seat on any cobblestone or sloped surface. Any number of segments can be deployed depending on available pavement space. No ground fixings. No changes to existing infrastructure.
