Product design in the public space, a social factor

 

Designing for the city goes beyond the objective of improving the public space or providing a useful object to different people, it is also about creating social empathy and making visible the problems that surround us or those endured by others in order to create adequate solutions.

 

As part of this objective, BKT mobiliario urbano has sought to expand its vision, and in turn, share it with friends and professionals who also aspire to generate an impact on the cities not only of Mexico but globally. This is why the company contacted Javier Machimbarrena – designer and industrial artist – who through the morphology and semantics, developed a new piece that in collaboration with its manufacture in Mexico joined BKT, bringing to the streets the new Bench-001.

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena
installation of BAN-001 in France | image courtesy of Javier Machimbarrena

 

 

The designer: Javier Machimbarrena

 

Javier Machimbarrena is a designer and industrial artist who specializes in the morphology and semantics of products. He has gained expertise in product design through various facets of his career. His eye for detail allows him to meticulously create the form, and choose the appropriate materials, colors, and interfaces, resulting in recognizable pieces that bear his own unique style.

 

All these experiences in different areas led him to finally create his own practice: Machimbarrena Design. Since 2016, the studio successfully started producing its product line, focusing on the street furniture sector — which eventually led to international installations in countries such as France, Switzerland, Holland, and the United Kingdom.

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena
Javier Machimbarrena and the design process

 

Collaborating with a friend and professional whose design vision is the result of extensive experience and knowledge gained from various places was a remarkable factor for BKT Mobiliario Urbano. This has provided them with an unparalleled range of tools to design for the urban environment.

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena
Javier Machimbarrena installations (own archive)

 

 

BAN-001: the new piece of BKT

 

The versatile and stylish design, along with its different versions in size, colors, and configurations, make the BAN-001 a versatile choice for a wide range of public spaces. From plazas and parks to pedestrian walkways and rest areas in urban centers, this bench blends effortlessly into any environment. Its ability to complement the context and style of the location makes it the ideal choice for spaces where you are looking to create a focal point that reflects the unique identity of its surroundings.

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena

 

The manufacturing process of the bench begins with the elaboration of the sides, which are created through a meticulous aluminum casting process. Before reaching this stage, the molds that will be used in the casting process are made. These are constructed from wooden parts created using CNC machinery. Once ready, they are used to create the sand molds. These are crucial to the casting process, as they provide the exact shape for the sides.

Allowing its cooling and solidification process, and once the aluminum has reached room temperature and hardened, the sand mold is separated and the molten aluminum part is extracted.

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena
CNC machining process and sand molds

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena

 

Once the casting stage is completed, the carbon steel armrests are made. Finally, with the total assembly of the piece, the wooden staves or the rod in its metal version are integrated into the backrest and seat, giving it a plus not only in design but also in comfort and variety.

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena

 

 

What does a bench imply in the urban scene?

 

More than a physical structure; a bench is a reflection of the innate need to connect with our surroundings, to find a place to rest, and also to share moments with friends and strangers alike. Strategically positioned urban lounging spaces are the punctuation marks in a city’s narrative. They offer respites amidst the hustle and bustle, providing pedestrians with moments of reflection and rest: they invite people to stop, connect, and engage with their surroundings.

 

Following that line of thinking, we sought a design that embodied both contemporary aesthetics and timeless appeal. BKT street furniture’s vision, linked to Javier’s, led to the choice of the BAN-001, a design capable of inviting dialogue and inspiring admiration: a piece that would not only enhance the urban landscape but also become an iconic symbol of community and connectivity.

bench 001: a collaboration between BKT street furniture x javier machimbarrena
example of this is BAN-007 (Banca-007), its use, the user’s adaptation to sitting, and the appropriation of the space.

 

The importance of design in the city is linked to the purpose of impacting form and function in the space where the object to be designed is located but provoking a chain reaction that leads society within it to be concerned about the dignity of the space.

 

That is why in order to reach these goals, BKT street furniture is in a constant search, not only for innovation through an analytical and design process, but also a constant search for connections with people — like Javier Machimbarrena — who share the same vision.

 

project info:

 

project title: BAN-001

design: BKT street furniture x Javier Machimbarrena | Facebook | Linkedin