Nine new public benches have been unveiled in Cheapside and for the first time, Aldgate, to mark the 2021 edition of the London Festival of Architecture’s City Benches competition with Cheapside Business Alliance and Aldgate Connect BID. Designed by an emerging group of international and interdisciplinary architects and designers, these new benches will enliven the public realm across the City with their bold and imaginative designs, as London begins to welcome visitors, commuters and locals back to its streets this summer.
This year’s collection of benches each offers a fresh new take on bringing people back together post pandemic, providing a safe and inviting environments for people to meet again and enjoy the capital with a creative approach to the Festival’s 2021 theme of care. The designs hope to start a conversation on how we can better care for another and our built environment, from telling the forgotten stories of the local area through local landmarks and materials to supporting wellbeing by encouraging interaction and tackling sustainability by challenging views on littering and introducing more planting. In addition to providing much-needed seating, the benches also encourage passers-by to pause, rest and once again make the most of the City.
“City Benches goes from strength to strength, and it’s a pleasure to be working alongside the London Festival of Architecture once again, as well as with such a talented cohort of architects and designers. As Cheapside continues to welcome people back to its streets and spaces, City Benches enhances our appeal as one of London’s best places to live, work and visit.”
Claire Dumontier-Marriage BID Manager of Cheapside Business Alliance
To see all the benches please click on this link.
Image: Bow Church Yard – Quick Getaway by Ex Architectures with Flu-or Arquitectura
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