# Sculptural Public Seating Emerging Creatives Architecturally Enhanced These Seating Options By Kalin Ned | Published 2022-06-29 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-public-seating References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2022/06/24/pews-and-perches-london-festival-of-architecture/)  The best and most interesting part about sculptural public seating designs is that such activations can animate common spaces while enhancing them functionally for residents, as well. Most recently, a team of up-and-coming architects and designers completed a set of sculptural public seating that was positioned in a riverside industrial district in London called the Royal Docks. This project was launched for the London Festival of Architecture's Pews and Perches competition which seeks to "enliven [public space](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-furniture1) at the Royal Docks." The sculptural public seating includes [tactile stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-bench) ("Gam") made out of papercrete—a building material that is comprised out of re-pulped paper fiber, Portland cement or clay and/or other soil added—and a tall bench ("Cautionary Bench/Mark") that "symbolizes rising sea levels." Image Credit: Luke O'Donovan ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sculptural Public Seating Designs:** Opportunity for emerging architects and designers to create unique seating options that improve public spaces and add functionality for residents. - **Innovative Building Materials:** Opportunity for companies to explore the use of eco-friendly building materials like papercrete and clay for public art installations and functional furniture. - **Symbolic Public Art Installations:** Opportunity for artists and designers to create installations that convey meaning related to current social issues like climate change and rising sea levels. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture and Design:** Industry professionals can develop strategies to create innovative and functional public spaces that engage communities and promote inclusion and sustainability. - **Building Materials:** Building material manufacturers can explore the use of eco-friendly materials for public art installations and functional furniture to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship. - **Public Art:** Artists and designers can create meaningful and symbolic installations in public spaces that engage communities and raise awareness on important social issues. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playful Public Seating Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-public-seating.md) - [Artful Dockside Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pews-and-perches.md) - [Dual Sculpture Seating Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immaterial-0001.md) - [19th-Century-Inspired Seating Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scottish-designers.md) - [Repurposed Brick Public Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brick-public-furniture.md) - [Adaptive Public Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adp-bench.md) - [Public-Oriented Furniture Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/furniture-for-public-use.md) - [Playful Outdoor Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-new-raw-1.md) - [Aquatic Shoreline Conservation Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tidal-stool.md)