Imagine if, even on busy roads or in a packed tube carriage, you were always surrounded by a couple of feet worth of space. No one breathing down your neck; no one coughing in your face; no one standing on your feet. 

This is the vision of designer Jack Beveridge, whose “More Space” project asks exactly that question. As part of an advertising competition, Beveridge gave over 200 volunteers a go with a giant green hula hoop, to give them, well, more space on city streets:

And on escalators:

Here’s the video outlining the project: 

The project is actually in aid of the National Trust, so it’s really encouraging people to leave cities and visit lovely green spaces and big old houses around the UK. (We at CityMetric obviously disapprove.) But we’re taking it as a handy tip for those days when you’d do just about anything to keep the crush of commuters at bay. 

h/t: Fast Company.