Docklands Benches, London
A set of modular seating systems that form a creative and comfortable resting spot along the London Royal Docks waterfront submitted as part of the London Festival of Architecture.
The projects were part of a design competition. Our entry provided a dynamic yet durable resting point unique to the redevelopment of the London Royal Docks to allow the public to reflect on the location’s historic importance and connection to the River Thames.
Three designs capture life before, during and after the Pandemic of 2019.
The first design, ‘Embed’ rationalised an envisaged sectional cut of the riverbed at this location. We researched the history of the docks, its architecture, and the various buildings surrounding the site and separated these elements into two distinct materials and forms. This was refined into a stacked form; the design embodies the idea of ongoing architectural change and development in the area and invites users to reflect on this. The design appears unfinished towards the upper slope of the timber to reflect the current state of residential and commercial redevelopment in the area. The bench can be modified into a modular arrangement to allow a split of 5 sections, providing smaller individual seats, adaptable to many landscapes along the dockside. Each seat would vary in timber-to-concrete ratio and when placed together would form the complete transition. The materials were selected to provide a long-lasting yet timeless design.
‘We’ll Seat Again’ playfully evokes the Queen’s coronavirus speech in April 2020 and the lyrics of Vera Lynn’s wartime song. Our seat references a traditional bench, with an outline representing how life has changed over the last six months and the notion of returning to normal after the pandemic came to an end. The two seats are positioned 2m (at the centre of each seat) apart, to allow social meetings while adhering to the current UK government guidance on safe social distancing. The bench forms a new meeting place in a time of social isolation that we hope will represent the positive, can-do spirit of the UK in tackling the current crisis. As the London docks area was targeted during WW2 owing to its industrial production capabilities, 221 holes will be drilled through the steel into a pattern (representing the 221 bombs and mines dropped on the docks during the London Blitz).
‘Support Bubbles’ was our third proposal, a playful representation of communal links and the importance of human interaction during and after the events of the pandemic. It is only natural that we feel the need for support, a sense of companionship and care. This is seen throughout the bench with a literal interpretation of the term. The small coloured bubbles take on a delicate form providing a playful and colourful base. These represent our society and are a reminder to everyone that there are many people in our community that we can reach out to in many forms whether that be in person or in the virtual world; small in each way, but together providing the task of supporting people's well being. In contrast the warming tones and solid form of the timber above represents the supported. This is the form and materiality that keeps us afloat to appreciate reflection, happiness and a space for communication.
