Chris Duderstadt, a retired machinist and roller-skating enthusiast, has dedicated himself to building community benches under the Public Bench Project, totaling 210 installations in the Inner Sunset over the past decade. His unique bench design, dubbed the 'off the wall,' features a comfortable angled seat and backrest, which Duderstadt identified as ideal for public use. He aims to place the benches in hilly areas to provide respite for those hiking. His journey began in 1977 with a bench for a friend's veterinary clinic, and he has since pioneered designs that encourage social engagement in communal spaces.
"I really like to put them on hills. If you're going to hike up that hill, you need a place to rest," Duderstadt told Mission Local.
Duderstadt has built 210 community benches over the past decade as part of the Public Bench Project, aiming to enhance communal spaces in the Inner Sunset.
The first off the wall-style bench, featuring a comfortable design with an angled seat and backrest, was made in 1977 for a friend's veterinary clinic.
As a retired machinist, Duderstadt transitioned from creating custom tech and biotech machines to designing benches that foster community interaction.
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