Meet the Designers: Pews and Perches (4)

As part of LFA 2023, the LFA unveiled the winning benches for the fourth edition of Pews and Perches. The series of four benches aims to improve London’s public realm, celebrate emerging architectural talent, and connect people with the buildings and spaces around them.

We chatted to the designers about the stories behind the designs.

Click on the videos below to hear each of the designers tell us the story behind their bench.

Alternatively, you can download the Pews and Perches self-guided walking tour by heading to our Building Sounds podcast feed via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or by searching for ‘Building Sounds’ wherever you normally get your podcasts.

Round The Neighbourhood by Nicolos Makatsaria and Jericho Cabalan

Round The Neighbourhood reuses materials from one of last year’s Pews & Perches benches to create an interactive seating arrangement with circularity at its core. One revolving central seat is surrounded by others of varying heights, sizes and colours that each represent the different lives that coexist in The Royal Docks. The bench invites its users to ‘go round the neighbourhood,’ bringing people together to share stories, exchange cultures and learn from each other.

To find out more about the story behind Round the Neighbourhood from Nicolos and Jericho, click here!

Together We Hold by Akmaral Khassen

Together We Hold celebrates women standing together in the face of violation against them and their bodies. Four figurative women form a joyful and fluid ensemble of bench ‘legs’ that support the bench structurally, as well as its sitter. The bench’s playful form and bright colours create a collective moment of joy in Lyle Park for passers-by to engage with.

To find out more about the story behind Together We Hold from Akmaral Khassen, click here!

Chit Chat Chair by Studio Groove

Resembling two barrels that sit together on the quayside, the Chit Chat Chair‘s curved form hugs its sitters and creates a moment of refuge within the Royal Victoria Dock. The bench’s S-shape brings two users into an unusually intimate composition, with the aim of sparking spontaneous conversation and encouraging people to discover what they share in common.

To find out more about the story behind Chit Chat Chair from Studio Groove, click here!

FLOAT by Akasaki Vanhuyse

FLOAT is a round, faceted bench that takes inspiration from maritime objects and the nearby curved wharf. By cutting and layering deadstock bricks, the bench draws on the material as a symbol of the local area – a nod to the industrial brick buildings that surround the bench – and subverts material conventions by creating a round, soft shape that provides an interactive seating area and meeting spot for the public.

To find out more about the story behind FLOAT from Akasaki Vanhuyse, click here!