public furniture as social space

These benches were not only a unique interpretation of the way's in which one uses - or occupies - a bench, they were also a clear study in pushing the limits of the material's capability. And in closely considering the structural conditions of how a bench meets the ground, supports a body, and stays level.

I've been interested ever since in the social space and level of comfort that can be created by various bench configurations, and have been exploring through sketching:

I've continued to increase the frequency - and exploratory content - of my sketches over the past two months. I'll be using that technique to develop a new bench design I'd like to see in the small downtowns we work in so frequently at In. Site: Architecture. The design will be based on these benches and on the goal of creating comfortable, usable social space via public furniture.