The Rockford City experiment
Rockford, United States
In projects, Hopper
In 2021, the town of Rockford, Michigan closed part of its main street for a few months to create a public gathering space. After seeing how the main street quickly became a bustling place for families and friends, boosting local businesses as well, the city has made a long-term investment in (tools for) togetherness by placing Hopper benches along the walkways to bring people together in the public space.
Hopper to the rescue
The unique feature of the Hopper bench is its versatility. The backrest also serves as a tabletop. You can easily enjoy a picnic or an ice cream while watching passersby, but it’s just as perfect for reading a book or working on your laptop. With room for 3-5 people, this bench encourages people to connect with one another. Its generous length ensures everyone has enough personal space to sit comfortably, guaranteeing a conversation will spark!
Traffic-free zone
Rockford is a small city in the northern state of Michigan with about 6,000 residents. The experiment demonstrated that even in smaller towns, making streets car free can have significant benefits. Previously, this was thought to only apply to larger cities often crowded with tourists. But the opposite proved true: local businesses thrived, and the town became a lively hub once again. People rediscovered a place to meet and connect—a much-needed antidote in an increasingly individualistic society.
At Extremis, we believe that social connection is key to happiness. Initiatives like these make the world a little brighter, and we’re proud to support them.
