© 2008 Oliver Froome-Lewis & Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg
Typically the spaces identified are adjacent to a pathway or part of a widening of the pathway. These widenings might include hard, soft or hard and soft landscaping which might be defined by kerb, fence or wall. These variants in perimeter definition determine whether a benchspace belongs primarily to a roadway, path, memorial, housing estate, church, playground, common, heath, or park.
Where benchspace relates to a busy roadway it can only have been sited as a necessary resting point for the infirm, similar motives to the provision of seating at a bus stop. In parkland, where walking is unlikely to have been necessary, benchspace is provided so that we might rest, have lunch, hold a conversation, reflect, enjoy the view and linger in a health promoting environment. In contrast a benchspace directly addressing a flower garden, basketball court or public building has an immediately discernable purpose.
Benchspaces are almost universally well maintained with only two poorly maintained sites out of the current sample of thirty-four. Benches are also well maintained with only occasional evidence of vandalism such as a metal bench incinerated by a burning tyre in Canning Town and a bench with the arm cut through with bolt cutters in Wapping.
The laborious carving of names in trees adjacent to benches, in the timber components of benches and the scratching of names in the paintwork of metal benches remains popular.
Voluminous bins are, optimistically, supplied to capture the debris from benchspace activities. Generally these are empty and well maintained. Very occasionally an empty ‘special brew’ or ‘Tenants Extra’ can, a sandwich wrapper, lipstick or smouldering cigar butt transmits a signal of recent inhabitation.
The number of benches provided at a given location indicates not so much the anticipated demand as the degree of welcome being offered should demand arise. Hence there are no benches adjacent to the Houses of Parliament but ten at a remote part of the Thames Footpath in Wapping. Also evident are many sites where benches have been removed due to ‘inappropriate popularity’. Where there are two benches one bin stands between the two. The economic charm of this arrangement of bin provision has generated a tendency to provide pairs of benches, where one would suffice. A pair of benches with two bins, one at each end of the pair, which would be more conducive to inter-bench conversation, is rare.
There are very few variants in benchspace. The ground may be grass, mud, asphalt or stone. The lighting will be pole type, probably a globe, possibly an uplight with a downcasting reflector. The bin may be a substantial square in plan pill box type with cast lettering, beading and/or framing. The material used may be iron but is more likely to be polypropylene injection moulded to take the appearance of iron. The bin may alternatively be a cylindrical type, sheet or perforated, pole mounted and painted black with an internal galvanised steel liner and sack. The bench will be a two seat hinting at sociability whilst precluding a party. There will be four legs and two armrests. Metal benches will be cold, or hot, to the touch most of the year. Timber benches will be more hospitable. Timber-look metal benches offering economy of purchase and maintenance and the illusion of comfort are set to become more prevalent. Paint is black, timber is brown.
Watching, looking, resting, reading, waiting, talking, hugging.
Ledges, traffic barriers, walls, signs, rocks, logs, steps, thresholds, bollards, planters.