London studio Soft Baroque's "Spring Break" bench was inspired by the bouncy rockers found in many play parks. <br /><br />"It was an opportunity to create a really highly finished and mature version of these familiar park toys," said designer Nicholas Gardner of the two-person bench.
"Spring Break" by Soft Baroque —
London studio Soft Baroque's "Spring Break" bench was inspired by the bouncy rockers found in many play parks.

"It was an opportunity to create a really highly finished and mature version of these familiar park toys," said designer Nicholas Gardner of the two-person bench.
courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
Märta Hägglund and Sanna Gripner -- the only participating Swedish designers -- wanted to develop comfortable seating to encourage visitors to linger. Their "Cushy" bench is inspired by indoor furnishings, and features surfaces made from springy metal mesh.
"Cushy" by Hagglund & Gripner —
Märta Hägglund and Sanna Gripner -- the only participating Swedish designers -- wanted to develop comfortable seating to encourage visitors to linger. Their "Cushy" bench is inspired by indoor furnishings, and features surfaces made from springy metal mesh.
courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
Italian architect Luca Cipelletti uses dried cow dung mixed with clay to create a material he calls Merdacotta. This material was used to create gigantic bricks compiled in an L-shape that encourages users to sit in different ways and enjoy various views of the park.
"Primordial Bench" by Luca Cipelletti —
Italian architect Luca Cipelletti uses dried cow dung mixed with clay to create a material he calls Merdacotta. This material was used to create gigantic bricks compiled in an L-shape that encourages users to sit in different ways and enjoy various views of the park.
Courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
"Rotunda" by Ifeanyi Oganwu functions both as a bench and an enclosed space that can be used as a miniature amphitheater. <br /><br />"I was interested in the idea of a folly -- something that is not quite architecture, not landscape and not sculpture," the designer said.
"Rotunda" by Ifeanyi Oganwu —
"Rotunda" by Ifeanyi Oganwu functions both as a bench and an enclosed space that can be used as a miniature amphitheater.

"I was interested in the idea of a folly -- something that is not quite architecture, not landscape and not sculpture," the designer said.
Courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
Five of the park's existing benches were refurbished by Dutch studio Scholten & Baijings, which worked with a skilled airbrushing technician to apply its signature colored gradients. Every bench is unique, but the colors flow from one bench to the next to create continuity throughout the park.
"Colour Benches" by Scholten & Baijings —
Five of the park's existing benches were refurbished by Dutch studio Scholten & Baijings, which worked with a skilled airbrushing technician to apply its signature colored gradients. Every bench is unique, but the colors flow from one bench to the next to create continuity throughout the park.
Courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
Beijing architect Naihan Li created a seating landscape comprising a cluster of rammed-earth extrusions topped with metal plates or grass that will grow in over time. The construction method references the materiality of the Great Wall of China, and the pixelated form is reminiscent of classic computer games.
"Extrusion" by Naihan Lee —
Beijing architect Naihan Li created a seating landscape comprising a cluster of rammed-earth extrusions topped with metal plates or grass that will grow in over time. The construction method references the materiality of the Great Wall of China, and the pixelated form is reminiscent of classic computer games.
courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
People can perch on, lean against, hang from or walk along London designer Max Lamb's gently zigzagging linear benches. Made from single lengths of stainless steel tube that was manipulated using a computer-controlled bending machine, the three benches are influenced by materials and forms found in urban environments.
"101.6 OD 305 CLR" by Max Lamb —
People can perch on, lean against, hang from or walk along London designer Max Lamb's gently zigzagging linear benches. Made from single lengths of stainless steel tube that was manipulated using a computer-controlled bending machine, the three benches are influenced by materials and forms found in urban environments.
Courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
Philippe Malouin drew inspiration from street furniture such as bollards when creating his cylindrical shelter, which is cast from six concrete sections. The inner surfaces are smooth concrete, while the outside is pebble-dashed to accentuate its urban character.
"Core" by Philippe Malouin —
Philippe Malouin drew inspiration from street furniture such as bollards when creating his cylindrical shelter, which is cast from six concrete sections. The inner surfaces are smooth concrete, while the outside is pebble-dashed to accentuate its urban character.
PHOTOGRAPHER JEZZICA SUNMO
Los Angeles designer Jonathan Olivares visited the site in 2016 and discovered disused boules courts, which were renovated and improved with the introduction of a curving bench. It was made using a rolled metal surface with the same width as a new concrete border around the courts.
"Aluminum Bench" by Jonathan Olivares —
Los Angeles designer Jonathan Olivares visited the site in 2016 and discovered disused boules courts, which were renovated and improved with the introduction of a curving bench. It was made using a rolled metal surface with the same width as a new concrete border around the courts.
Courtesy JEZZICA SUNMO
A group portrait of the architects and curators.
A group portrait of the architects and curators.
Courtesy Jezzica Sunmo