Practice Architecture
Practice Architecture
Big Bench, 2017
Douglas Fir
400 x 1010 x 1010 cm
13ft 1 ½ x 33ft 2 x 33ft 2 in.
Big Bench was designed by Paloma Gormley, Lettice Drake and Henry Stringer - co-founders of Practice Architecture, a London-based architecture practice founded in 2009. Their work is interdisciplinary, incorporating design, art and craft - the act of building and making always having a strong relationship with the overall design.
Since it was founded in 2009, Practice Architecture has created a range of projects from festival installations, to community spaces and residential dwellings. Notable projects include The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick, Frank’s Cafe in Peckham and Flat House in Cambridgeshire.
Big Bench is an outdoor timber amphitheatre designed to create an intimate and enclosed visual and acoustic environment. Its raised Douglas-fir octagonal structure can accommodate up to 70 people and has been enjoyed as a communal space for talks, performances, school groups, meetings and picnics.
Big Bench was originally commissioned by the New Art Centre in 2011 as a venue for the events organised by the Roche Court Educational Trust and especially for parties of school children. The inaugural occasion was a conversation between Mark Wallinger and Daphne Wright as part of the Salisbury International Arts Festival. Since then, further Big Benches have been installed at The Watts Gallery & Artists' Village in Compton, Surrey, Frensham Heights School in Farnham and Ballymaloe Cookery School in Co. Cork, Ireland.
'Big Bench' is available as a commission. The structure can seat 60 people. Please contact us for further information.