paul cocksedge enhances sidewalk life with ‘please be seated’ at london design festival 2019

‘please be seated,’ a public installation by paul cocksedge, takes shape at london design festival 2019 as an undulating sculpture which encourages engagement and functionality. completion of the landmark project follows imagery released earlier this year illustrating the team’s design process. occupying finsbury avenue square in broadgate, london’s largest pedestrian neighborhood, the large-scale pavilion responds to the rhythmic heartbeat of the community, offering visitors network of surfaces for seating and gathering without obstructing the circulation of the street. the installation becomes an integrated element of the city, enhancing the sidewalk life of the vibrant area. 

all images by mark cocksedge

designer paul cocksedge collaborates with essex-based interiors company white & white to fabricate the london design festival 2019 project through the use of upcycled scaffolding planks. commissioned by broadgate, the occupiable public sculpture stands as the most ambitious of british land’s landmark installations to date. the large-scale installation features high and low curves for sitting on and walking beneath and a name that encourages engagement and interaction, rather than serving as an obstructive object to be observed and left untouched. 

nearby, broadgate’s ‘the space | 3FA’ will be home to an exhibition of paul cocksedge’s work, including his from inception to creation of ‘please be seated’. designer paul cocksedge comments: ‘every single aspect of the installation is tailored to its environment as well as the function it serves. the curves raise up to create backrests and places to sit, as well as space for people to walk under, or pause and find some shade. it walks the line between a craft object and a design solution. it occupies the square without blocking it.’

project info:

project title: please be seated

designer: paul cocksedge studio

event: london design week 2019

collaborators: white & white, ARUP

supporters: broadgate, british land

location: finsbury avenue square, broadgate, EC2M 2PA, london

when: september 14th — october 11th 2019

photography: mark cocksedge