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Please Be Seated, a monumental outdoor seating installation designed by British designer Paul Cocksedge, graced the Broadgate for the London Design Festival. Situated in the bustling Finsbury Avenue Square, adjacent to Broadgate office block in London, the installation had been commissioned London Design Festival. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).
The undulating structures, increasing in size and height towards the centre, are supported by steel frames and serve as benches where they touch the ground. Access routes to the central seating areas are formed by the rising waves, creating a seamless blend of functionality and aesthetics.
Cocksedge tailored every aspect of the installation to its environment, ensuring it serves both as an artistic installation and a practical piece of street furniture. The curves rise up to create backrests and places to sit, as well as space for people to walk under, or pause and find some shade, according to Cocksedge. The thoughtful design elements of Please Be Seated seamlessly occupy the square without obstructing it, striking a perfect balance between a craft object and a functional design solution.
The installation is made from 1,152 reclaimed scaffolding boards that have been meticulously planed, sanded and cut to create captivating curves and concentric circles. Please Be Seated is the result of careful consideration of the space and people's movements, creating an engaging artwork without obstructing the public square.
Please Be Seated has been created by Paul Cocksedge Studio in collaboration with White & White and Arup. The first edition used reclaimed scaffolding boards and was located in London's Broadgate. After touring China with Swire Properties, a second edition made from sustainably sourced timber was fabricated in partnership with UAP. In 2021, a permanent edition was completed in Hong Kong's Taikoo Park, offering a space for community interaction and contemplation.
Image credit: Paul Cocksedge Studio
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