SCAPE BENCH

SCAPE BENCH is a movable sculptural seating installation whose spatial arrangement positions people differently within a space. This creates new sightlines and new relationships between people, the sculpture and its surroundings.

The jury on SCAPE BENCH:

SCAPE BENCH stands out by deliberately ignoring the unwritten rules of traditional street furniture. Whereas street furniture is often neatly and conventionally designed, this design opts for a robust, almost sculptural form that invites people to experiment with it and use it in different ways. This openness makes room for play, dialogue and social interaction. That a client embraces this unconventional approach makes the choice all the stronger.

How did the idea for this project come about?

The project took shape following an open call by the City of Kortrijk for a mobile meeting point. The idea stemmed from the sight of stacked chairs after an event: tall and short stacks, a toppled stack or a few individual chairs. Together, they form an unexpected and interesting composition. Inspired by this image, I began experimenting with repetition, different heights and positions, until the final piece emerged: a landscape-like seating installation that is both sculpture and meeting spot.

What makes your project so special?

The project sits somewhere between a piece of seating furniture and a sculpture. For a moment, you’re not quite sure whether you should look at it or sit on it. Unlike static street furniture, it literally brings movement to your body and your gaze. It changes how you experience your surroundings and one another, and can lead to unexpected encounters. What’s more, it’s completely freestanding and movable, allowing it to revitalise new locations time and again and forge new connections with its surroundings.

How does it contribute to a better world?

Humans are social by nature: being close, meeting and interacting are essential to how we live together. At a time when more and more of our lives are taking place online, SCAPE BENCH aims to create space once again for real encounters. The sculpture encourages conversation, unexpected encounters and new connections between people. Because it is movable, it can repeatedly bring new life to spaces, give them a different purpose and spark social change.