Products: BAN-002
Photography: Our Archive
What is a bench?
For many, it's just a utilitarian object. A place to pass through. But, if we stop to observe... could it actually be an element of collective belonging that reflects the history of its space?
Historically, street furniture was the way art left the palaces to democratize the streets. It wasn't just about seating; it was about giving dignity to public space. As the architect Gonzalo Villa Chávez said, the city is a living organism, and every element should be an honest intervention in its time. Therefore, preserving the essence and values of the architectural object was one of our priorities.
When designing such a piece, we analyze the variety of our historic centers, their architecture, the environment that holds memories, and the different proposals that throughout periods of history have been part of our social footprint and our identity.
The antique cast-iron pieces allowed artistic design, previously reserved for private interiors, to spill out onto the streets in the form of benches, lampposts, and kiosks. Bringing "public sculpture" to pedestrian level, they made art accessible in everyday life. Maintaining fidelity to the original design in new reproductions is a way to preserve the historical memory of the urban landscape.
Influences such as those of Clara Porset and Michael van Beuren led us to functionality and regionalism, where we achieved a timeless design that feels distinctly Mexican by integrating honest materials and proportions that invite relaxation, as seen in their armchairs and modular furniture. Furthermore, we respect the history and original design bequeathed to us by designers and architects like Gonzalo Chavez.
Like the serial structures of contemporary architecture, our benches are designed to be rhythmically repeated in historic centers (and in any context), creating a sense of order and urban continuity. Our benches are the result of observing historic centers, a piece where simple geometry, exposed structure, and the honesty of the material come together to create a new landmark in urban furniture.
When designing the volumetric sides, we weren't aiming for a solid block. Experimenting with light and shadow, the open spaces in the structure (video rods) allow the bench to "breathe" and integrate into the landscape, projecting shadows that change throughout the day, much like the latticework of Guadalajara's architecture.
We use iron based on the concept of "Honest Materials." We don't try to make the material look like something else; we showcase its texture, its weight, and its strength. Its cast sides maintain the original style of antique benches, lending a sense of solidity and respect to the process.
Bench 002 not only replicates the past, but also responds to the need to "humanize" the growth of the modern city. Uniting engineering with the aesthetics of sculpture, it is a tribute to the details that define our cities.
So... what is a bench? For us, it's the point where design and pride in our identity meet.