“Bancos para Compartir” was a urban design competition organized as a collaboration between the town council of Madrid and the COAM.

Location The Municipality of Madrid.

Brief To produce a new type of urban bench. The idea was to create a versatile piece of urban furniture adapted to the varying needs of the population, of the different neighbourhoods and of the local climate conditions. The project was to be based on budget-conscious, cost-effective strategies that achieved maximum impact with minimum intervention and disruption.

Background Madrid is the capital of Spain and the largest city in population in the Autonomous Community of Madrid. As the capital, seat of government and residence of the Monarchy, Madrid is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country.

Personal Intention The intention was to create a resilient piece of urban furniture that fulfilled the needs of the town council and population. The criteria taken into consideration were the following:

• Materials
• Ascetics
• Use and Practicality
• Versatility
• Local Legislation
• Sustainability
• Production, Instalation and Maintanance
• Cost/ Benefit analysis

The application of these concepts produced a concrete bench with rubber surfacing and incorporated vegetation that fulfills the needs of the city with different use options (sitting, standing, leaning, lounging…), and a resistance that is combined with easy installation and movement.