nick ross installs exotic granite benches in front of aberdeen's second largest granite building

the doric boule, created by designer nick ross, connects ideas of local power and influence to a wider view of the world, creating a public meeting point in courtyard of the marischal college — which is the headquarters of the aberdeen city council — made from granites from around the world. this work refers to local culture and dialect, while remaining resolutely outward-facing in times of change. the marischal college was chosen as the work relates to the idea of council and democracy. one of the stones used in the piece is actually the same granite that the building is made from called kemnay grey which was quarried just outside aberdeen. the other six granites have been imported from around the world.

the doric boule, situated in the central courtyard of the marischal college in aberdeen, scotland

the works name comes from the ‘boule’, which was an early form of council in ancient greece, a gathering of city elders that underpinned the birth of democracy, and the term doric, which is a popular name for the north east scots language, a term which is believed to come from the doric speech of ancient greece spoken in doria, and associated with the country and peasantry. nick ross‘ idea behind the doric boule was to create a social setting where people can come, discuss the topic of the day or simply just hang out. 

one of the benches was made from the same stone as the building itself, the local kemnay gray granite

granite was chosen as it is a symbol of the city, but instead of only working with local granite, more exotic, colorful granites were also imported from around the world. the thought behind this was that if granite is a symbol of the city then the foreign granites would represent the people who have moved into aberdeen from outside to help create the multicultural city we see today.

more exotic, colorful granites were also imported from around the world

the initial inspiration came from a visit to the seven incorporated trades of aberdeen, which was a trade guild founded in 1587. since the idea around the seven trades was to band together so as to have a stronger voice within the local community, the outcome became communal seating that would act as a meeting place for the people working and living in the area.

the idea behind the doric boule was to create a social setting where people can come, discuss the topic of the day or simply just hang out

the initial inspiration came from a visit to the seven incorporated trades of aberdeen, which was a trade guild founded in 1587

each bench is 25 x 50 x 100cm placed in a 9m ring

the creation process

the polishing process

the benches were produced outside aberdeen using granites from around the world

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: lynn chaya | designboom