Six new sculptural “living rooms” are turning Southwest bus stops into warm, welcoming gathering spots. Designed by artist Bruce Willen, each installation brings the comfort of home out onto the sidewalk — giving neighbors, especially seniors and riders with disabilities, a place to sit and connect while they wait.
Southwest Living Rooms: Bringing Home to the Bus Stop
Living Rooms: Home Meets the Bus Stop,
and a More Equitable Commute
Living Rooms is a new series of functional public art bus stops that transport domestic scenes into public space. These installations playfully reimagine the bus stop, blurring the line between living room and sidewalk. Familiar forms of domestic furniture, love seats, floor lamps, credenzas, recliners, and more, become vibrant 3D illustrations that evoke the welcoming visual language of home.
Installed at six bus stop locations across Southwest, Living Rooms responds to a real equity gap: these are stops that have long gone without benches or shelter, in a neighborhood where nearly one in five residents is a senior and one in five identifies as disabled. For the thousands who ride the 74 bus each month with nowhere to sit, these installations provide much-needed seating and a welcoming space to rest.
Each piece is designed as a small gathering space, a place where neighbors can pause, talk, and connect with one another, bringing the warmth and personality of home to the everyday transit experience.
Each sculpture is made from steel, coated with high-performance paint, and built to withstand the rigors of a heavily used bus stop. A vibrant green leans into the playful, cartoon-like quality of the pieces, creating intentional contrast with the reserved, institutional colors typically found at transit stops.
See Renderings and More Information“Throughout my work, I like to create moments of discovery, joy, play, and exploration.
With Living Rooms, I think of it as the type of furniture you might find in your grandmother’s
living room, a space that feels welcoming and comfortable.”
-Artist, Bruce Willen
@publicmechanics