Sculpture ~ David Parfitt

Longbench at Longhill School

  • 3D model of the developed design, showing the layout of supporting tracks for one section of the bench. » Click to zoom ->

    3D model of the developed design, showing the layout of supporting tracks for one section of the bench.

  • 3D visualisation of the developed design, at a stage where the placement of the two elements had been finalised. » Click to zoom ->

    3D visualisation of the developed design, at a stage where the placement of the two elements had been finalised.

  • The installation prior to having the slats added to the benches » Click to zoom ->

    The installation prior to having the slats added to the benches

  • Construction began with the positioning of several large planters. Once filled with soil they anchored the entire installation. » Click to zoom ->

    Construction began with the positioning of several large planters. Once filled with soil they anchored the entire installation.

  • The various colours and textures of recycled polyethylene board were added at random. » Click to zoom ->

    The various colours and textures of recycled polyethylene board were added at random.

  • The polyethylene slats were attached by working parties of students and staff. » Click to zoom ->

    The polyethylene slats were attached by working parties of students and staff.

  • A view of the finished bench, complete with finished planting scheme » Click to zoom ->

    A view of the finished bench, complete with finished planting scheme

  • The moment that the bench was finished it went into full use. This group of students also helped build the Longbench. » Click to zoom ->

    The moment that the bench was finished it went into full use. This group of students also helped build the Longbench.

  • The completed bench with planting. » Click to zoom ->

    The completed bench with planting.

Longbench was the result of an extensive project with Longhill High School in Rottingdean, Brighton. The need for such an item was identified through design workshops with students, who went on to collaborate with the concept, design and build of the structure.

The entire structure is constructed from polyethylene, where possible recycled polyethylene was used. The brief required a generous amount of planting to be done within the site, and the design of the bench was expanded to incorporate planters made from the same material, by borrowing from the coil pot principle.