FLOAT

Bench, Street Furniture

London Festival of Architecture

Royal Docks, UK, 2023

The site of the Royal Albert Wharf, is characterised by its industrial and maritime heritage, as well as its recent regeneration and development. By connecting the bench design to its immediate surroundings we wanted to create a symbol for the town. Inspired by the curved wharf and the playful forms of the maritime objects on site, we crafted a round, faceted bench that provides an interactive seating area and meeting spot for the public. The bench is made from traditional handmade clay bricks, chosen to reflect the architectural context of the Royal Docks and a nod to the nearby historic pumping station. We opted to utilise deadstock bricks to repurpose unused resources. The way 360 bricks are precisely cut into 13 unit types, each with specific angles and dimensions, became the core of the making process.