to be unveiled in prime position outside the UN headquarters in new york during this years nelson mandela day (july 18th, 2019), snøhetta has created the ‘peace bench.’ officially entitled ‘the best weapon’, the installation has been designed in collaboration with hydro and vestre as a symbolic expression of diplomacy and dialogue. in homage to nobel peace prize laureates, the art-piece intends to convey in a tangible way, the positive effects that peaceful discourse can have.
all images © lars tornøe
made from anodized aluminum, the six and a half meter-long installation has been conceived by snøhetta, and realized with the help of hydro and vestre, in a simple arc shape. anchored in the middle with the ends gently rising up like the corners of a smile, the form brings those sitting on the bench closer together as a direct analogy of bringing people of the world together to find effective solutions for peace. additionally, and in tribute to the revolutionary leader nelson mandela, the surface is also engraved with one of his most famous quotes – ‘the best weapon is to sit down and talk’.
‘in today’s digitalized and polarized society, sitting down and speaking together might be the most effective tool that we have to find solutions and common ground. we believe in using design as a tool to create lasting symbols that foster fruitful communication,’ says snøhetta founder, kjetil trædal thorsen.
commissioned by the nobel peace center in oslo, norway, the piece balances both function and symbolism while embodying ideals of compromise, dialogue and compassion: ‘we hope that the bench will encourage people to sit down and talk – to their friends, but also to strangers and adversaries. genuine conversations are requirements for peace,’ says executive director of the nobel peace center, liv tørres.
designed for longevity, the installation will first be presented outside the UN in new york city before being moved to oslo. what will become its permanent location, the ‘peace bench’ will take pride position near the nobel peace center and the oslo city hall, where the nobel peace prize is awarded annually.
project info:
project name: ‘the best weapon’
design: snøhetta
commissioned by: the nobel peace center, oslo, norway
images: lars tornøe
snohetta (114 articles)
snøhetta completes the world’s northernmost energy-positive building in norway
snøhetta designs corten steel interventions for innsbruck's nordkette mountain range
snøhetta, WCIT, and AECOM to overhaul honolulu's blaisdell center
from banknotes to beehives, snøhetta surveys a decade of design with new monograph
snøhetta spirals staircase into accessible roof for shanghai grand opera house
time-lapse movie shows submersion of snøhetta's underwater restaurant in norway
design news
synchronized swimmers in a pool full of rubbish raise awareness of plastic pollution
#design
titled 'swimming in it', the short video shows the swimmers' hands and feet becoming caught among the plastic bottles and bags.
titled 'swimming in it', the short video shows the swimmers' hands and feet becoming caught among the plastic bottles and bags.
kengo kuma interweaves bamboo and carbon at london design festival 2019
#design
nestled into the garden of the victoria and albert museum, kengo kuma's 'bamboo ring' installation explores the use of the fast-growing wood in modern design.
nestled into the garden of the victoria and albert museum, kengo kuma's 'bamboo ring' installation explores the use of the fast-growing wood in modern design.
sanlorenzo debuts SD96 yacht with interiors by patricia urquiola at cannes yachting festival
#design
defined by flexibility and modularity, the SD96 features a flowing space in which the distinctive style of patricia urquiola unfolds.
defined by flexibility and modularity, the SD96 features a flowing space in which the distinctive style of patricia urquiola unfolds.
ettore sottsass on calmness in unreleased video footage from 2000
#design
the legendary, late italian architect, designer, and founder of the memphis group realized a monumental body of work over a career spanning more than six decades.
the legendary, late italian architect, designer, and founder of the memphis group realized a monumental body of work over a career spanning more than six decades.
