dom or sub?, 2022.

Dom or Sub? is a speculative design project that explores the unspoken power dynamics between pedestrians and drivers. What began as casual observation—watching people cross streets—quickly developed into a deeper investigation into how dominance and submission play out in everyday public interactions.

Through research, Barrington uncovered academic discussions that frame pedestrian-vehicle relationships as a form of social theatre—where every crossing becomes a negotiation, a standoff, or a surrender. Contrary to popular belief that vehicles dominate the road, he frequently witnessed pedestrians asserting control: stepping out into traffic without hesitation, forcing cars to yield. These subtle acts of domination challenged traditional assumptions of vulnerability and passivity.

In response, Barrington created a series of obstructive objects designed to exaggerate the submissive role of the pedestrian. Installed in public spaces, the objects made it physically difficult for people to cross streets freely, stripping away the casual power often held by pedestrians and highlighting the discomfort of being rendered passive. The objects served as both intervention and provocation—forcing a moment of awareness, frustration, and reflection.

Dom or Sub? uses urban design not to solve a problem, but to distort it—turning the everyday act of crossing the street into a metaphor for power, control, and negotiation in public space. Playful yet pointed, the project asks: who really holds the power, and how much of it are we willing to give up?