London: A new sustainable installation in the heart of London is reimagining ways to build human relationships. Please Be Seated's wave-like benches are created from recycled scaffolding boards and poles. It was commissioned for the annual London Design Festival.
Wave-like wooden benches in large concentric circles dominate the central square in London's Broadgate.
It was designed by British designer Paul Cocksedge as part of the Landmark Project commission by British Land.
Broadgate is London's largest pedestrianised neighbourhood, Cocksedge wanted to create a large installation that attempted to fuse some community in the busy square, where footfall is high throughout the working week.
"What I've designed here is a place to sit, to lie down, look at the sky, it's ambition is to bring people together in public space to create moments of interaction," said Cocksedge.
The installation is made entirely from recycled scaffolding planks and poles.
Because of strict health and safety laws, scaffolding planks must be replaced regularly on construction sites.
But the wood is often in good condition and can be repurposed.
"We've cleaned them, planed them, cut them and created these curves," said Cocksedge.
"But what's really interesting is that if you look at them, you see these little marks that hint at their former life. So, all of the materials used in this installation are recycled," Cocksedge added.
An interiors company, called White&White, worked alongside Cocksedge on the project to smooth and plane the boards.
The installation is already proving a hit with those working in the area.
Charlotte Guest and her friend Hanna Crombie work for a nearby technology company and enjoy the afternoon sun during their lunch break.
"It's a nice place to come and sit if it's on a lunch break or before work, after work, just to sit," said Guest.
"I really love that it's in the middle of these tall buildings too, we feel like we're being cradled, really lovely, we could go to sleep here," said Crombie.
"Please Be Seated" is one of the headline installations at the annual 17th London Design Festival.
The festival runs from 14-22 September and is one of the largest events of its kind in the world.
"To turn something that most people considered as being rather worthless and ugly into something beautiful with great value, that has an impact in a public space in a city, it's quite an amazing transformation," said the festival's director Ben Evans.
"Please Be Seated" is in location until 11 October 2019, but the designer would like to see the idea in other city centres in the future.
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