BENCH_B / BENCH SYSTEM / BD BARCELONA /
2013
I started to work on this project during my bursary at the German Academy Villa Massimo in Rome in 2011. My first inspiration came from the wrought iron benches which furnish the parkway of the academy´s premises. Structural considerations soon led to the cross-shaped leg in cast aluminum which, inevitably, created an image reminiscent of the famous Barcelona chair (1929). The logic and beauty of this leg detail were so definitive, they overruled any initial qualms concerning Mies van der Rohe´s iconic design. Ironically, my project was to be produced by a company based in Barcelona. Nearly a century later, we were able to re-interpret this furniture classic in a new way, making it ergonomically better while turning it into a more systematic, technologically advanced product. Using aluminum extrusions for the curved seat/back profile and slats is a logical continuation of my previous work for BD, but also adds a great flexibility to the production of the bench.
BENCH_B can be made to any length from a one-seater chair up to a maximum length of six meters. It can be fitted with optional armrests, it can be upholstered or left in pure aluminium.

Click here to watch a short video about the project.

Project Assistant: Sami Ayadi (KGID)
Producer: BD Barcelona