Meet the Designers: North Acton benches

Three benches were unveiled as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2021 in North Acton Square. Ealing Council teamed up with City and Docklands, Imperial College and OPDC to commission three architect teams to each create a bench for the newly created space at North Acton Square.

This was an opportunity to give some of London’s best emerging architects a chance to explore new ideas of what a bench can be and also to shine a light on a dynamic and fast-changing area of London. The result was three colourful but very different creations that allow people to sit and enjoy the new North Acton station square.

VVV by Kommune

This bench is constructed with individually handcrafted bricks made from pigmented concrete. The assembly strategy creates an interlocking herringbone pattern that eliminates the need for additional fixings or adhesive, and the flexibility of the design means that it can be added to, adapted, or reassembled for alternative uses.

Tod Chair by Michela Damone

Tod Chair intends to embody movement and change, the ability to evolve into a different seat starting from the same layout. The components could be rearranged to serve as a seat, backrest, or a table. On one side the bench is more comfortable with a backrest and, from the other side on the other side, the backrest section is a table can be used to work outside and meetings. The cylindrical and semi-cylindrical shapes are made from concrete. Coloured pigments have been added to recall the same shades of the ceramic tiles.

The Life Bench by MS-TC Studio

Inspired by the shape of a lifebuoy, this bench references Ealing’s historic canals. The colourful design is made to stand out in the urban context, inviting visitors to sit down and drift away. The project is supported by the Sunbeam Group and Excelsior Studios.