The solar-powered Sedi Connect bench allows users to charge their digital devices via wireless Qi pad chargers or USB ports. (Photo by Danny Howe, courtesy of Archasol) The Idea In his seminal book The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, celebrated urbanist William Whyte devoted an entire chapter t o the importance of abundant seating to animate a city’s public spaces. “The most attractive fountains, the most striking designs, cannot induce people to come and sit if there is no place to sit,” he wrote. But one possibility wasn’t entertained when Whyte penned his 1980 book—that seating could be a destination unto itself. However, the rise of solar-powered street furniture, uniquely tailored to the digital age, comes tantalizingly close to realizing that potential. High-tech, eco-forward companies are offering ways to not only sit, but also wirelessly charge portable devices (through built-in charging bases or assorted ports), get free Wi-Fi and, with certain benches, find much-needed shade—something Sacramentans could always use more of. One company in the solar-seating space is Montana’s Archasol, which offers the Australian-made Sedi Connect bench—a piece that, with its sublime curvilinear wood contours, looks like it belongs in a modern art museum. In fact, one organization—the Galesburg Public Library in Illinois—acquired its bench in 2024, and its director, Noelle Thompson, says many patrons mistake the smart bench for a sculpture instead of public seating. “We were trying to think of creative ways to serve the community even when the library was closed,” says Thompson, who notes that the bench is in near-constant use. It helps that its solar panel powers the lighting around the structure at night, providing a sense of safety, she adds. And while she readily acknowledges that unhoused people sometimes sleep on it at night, Thompson says they’re happy to provide a safe space for them for a few hours, explaining that shelterless community members who own cell phones rarely have ways to charge them. Another company on the rise is Hungary-based Kuube, which is selling its eye-catching benches around the globe in cities like Tokyo and Mumbai, and is gearing up to plug into the U.S. market in 2026. As its name suggests, its signature product is cube-shaped with two benches and a roof featuring solar panels that power the charging stations and lighting. The Hungarian Kuube solar-bench. Courtesy of Kuube. The Players One natural customer might be the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. Schools would also be fitting venues. In fact, New York-based outfit Bluebolt Outdoor recently installed solar-powered benches at nearby Solano Community College and Cal State Monterey Bay. Other candidates would be our local libraries. And these benches would make great bus stops too. The Bottom Line The Sedi Connect bench at the Galesburg library cost $18,500 and was acquired with funds from private donors (no taxpayer dollars). And though a representative for Kuube says that its U.S. pricing has not been set yet, according to a 2024 Hungarian edition of Forbes, its benches have ranged from roughly $4,000 to $20,000 depending on the model and options. And many bench makers also offer optional LED screens where advertising can be displayed to offset costs. So, Sacramento, let’s take advantage of our surfeit of sun-drenched days, and take a stand for sitting down.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Galesburg Public Library (@galesburgpubliclibrary) Want to Learn About More Inspiring Ideas? Sidewalk Stories – Shadow Art Inflatable Art: Why Not Here?  A Swinging Good Time – Urban Swings ...read more read less