Inspired by both a beach boardwalk and a charm bracelet, the Longest Bench meanders and loops like a chain and occasionally encounters shelters that act as “trinkets”. Composed of recycled wooden slats on a steel frame, the bench weaves along the coast, connecting the whole beach together in one long visual presence as it bends, swerves, dips, arches and curves for over half a kilometer. The bench meets with two shelters made from bronze-finished steel that provide shade and serve as entrances to the beach. As the bench approaches the shelters it stretches a bit and then spins into a series of loops inside, bouncing off the interior walls.

The bench, which recently opened on July 30th, is 324 meters long and is made from an average of 70% recycled stainless steel. Thousands of slats were used to create the bench top, which were made from recycled and reclaimed tropical hardwood from various sources including old seaside groynes and landfills. Tropical hardwoods are proven to be durable in marine environments, and more than a dozen different species were used — they vary in color from pale blonds to warm pinks and rich browns. Plans still remain to extend the bench to 621 meters, which would make it a record-breaking bench.

+ Studio Weave

Via Dezeen

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