ENESS' solar-powered benches inspired by vintage flower graphics oscillate in melbourne 

SOLAR-POWERED FLOWER BENCHES at national gallery of victoria

Enlivening the sculpture garden at National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, ENESS has launched its newest artwork — A Solar-Powered Bench That Spins Ever So Slowly. For this public installation, the art and technology studio has adopted an environmentally conscious design approach combined with a nostalgic 60s aesthetic to foster moments of connection between the community. The solar-powered benches are equipped with custom solar panels that harvest sunlight, allowing them to spin in interaction with the sun, spinning faster on brighter days and slower under cloud cover. With each bench shaped like a 60s flower graphic, from an aerial view the cluster evokes the imagery of a plot of flowers oscillating and spinning in the sunlight. At its core, the artwork revolves around sweet and subtle interactions as participants rotate past each other at regular intervals, offering an opportunity to engage with one another and their surroundings in new ways.

a new way to view sculpture gardens | all images courtesy of ENESS

eness’ oscillating public artwork fosters interaction

ENESS embraces sustainability values, constructing the benches with easily recyclable rotomolded Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The Melbourne-based design team handles the recycling process in-house, sorting factory floor off-cuts into appropriately sized swarf to create a subtle, hand-made color palette, resulting in unique segments for each seat. The speckled finish is achieved by mixing various recycled pieces, and the colors are inspired by energy and the sun.

Additionally, drawing from mid-century modern furniture aesthetics, which witnessed a revolution of new synthetics in manufacturing techniques, the artwork’s retro look is combined with contemporary sustainability values. As the benches absorb sunlight, they are able to spin, offering users a new perspective on their urban context through slow rotation. This playful whimsical motion invites them to appreciate the local vistas in distinct ways while connecting with one another and communing with the natural environment. 

ENESS unveils A Solar-Powered Bench That Spins Ever So Slowly

‘The intention was to create a work that innovates within the area of public realm by being functional, sustainable and one that inspires a different way of interacting. By harvesting sunlight, the benches move under their own steam – without intervention. This intention makes a statement about the future of public infrastructure and what energy sources are being used for light, movement, and animation,’ explains ENESS.

in interaction with the sun, the benches spin faster on brighter days and slower under cloud cover

the artwork invites participates to commune with one another and nature

custom segments made from hand-sorted recycled materials

custom solar-panels increase energy efficiency with more solar cells

project info:

name: A Solar-Powered Bench That Spins Ever So Slowly
designer: ENESS

location: National Gallery of Victoria, Australia
event: Melbourne Design Week 2023

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom