By Nicki Copley
Benches are far more than just places to sit. They serve as an essential interface between people and the outdoor environment. Benches embody both function and design, contributing to the broader experience of a space. The selection, design, specification, and placement of benches within a landscape are all critical components of creating an inviting, harmonious, and functional outdoor environment.
Explore the Photo Index to browse a variety of bench designs featured in landscape architecture projects worldwide.
Custom Benches
Custom or bespoke benches are designed specifically for a project to achieve unique aesthetic or functional goals. Unlike mass-produced options, bespoke benches allow for tailoring materials, forms, and finishes to the site’s character. Bench design can reflect local culture or the environment, using regionally sourced materials like stone or wood. Alternatively, designs may focus on innovative forms, using materials like steel, glass, or concrete to create sculptural elements within the landscape.
The value of custom benches lies not just in their uniqueness but in their ability to seamlessly integrate into the overall design vision. Custom benches can be designed to complement the flow of a space, adding to its aesthetic harmony while serving as functional art pieces.
Specifications and Materials
Specifying the right bench for a landscape project requires careful consideration of material durability, maintenance, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. The choice of materials is key, as it determines not only the bench’s visual character but also its longevity and sustainability.
Benches, like all outdoor furniture, have an embodied carbon footprint that includes the greenhouse gases emitted during the extraction, processing, transportation, and assembly of materials used in their construction. The choice of materials—whether timber, metal, concrete, or recycled composites—directly affects the bench’s environmental impact. Sustainable design practices can help reduce embodied carbon by prioritizing locally sourced, renewable, or recycled materials, and by choosing durable designs that minimize the need for frequent replacements.
Positioning for Comfort and Experience
Prospect and Refuge
Beyond the choice of materials, the placement of benches in the landscape is a crucial aspect of design. Positioning benches in relation to views, sunlight, and wind patterns ensures that users can enjoy their time seated comfortably and appreciate their surroundings. The concept of prospect and refuge¹ is central to this. Originating from environmental psychology, it refers to the human preference for spaces that provide both a good view (prospect) and a sense of protection (refuge).
When placing benches, designers consider the following:
- Prospect: Benches should be located in areas where users have a clear view of their surroundings. This could be a vista, a park, or a street. These positions invite users to pause and take in expansive or interesting views.
- Refuge: Benches should provide a sense of safety or privacy. This might be achieved by placing it near a tree, a wall, or a natural feature that offers shelter, giving people a sense of enclosure and security. These spaces feel more intimate and are ideal for those seeking a quieter, more reflective experience.
By balancing prospect and refuge, designers can create outdoor spaces that are both visually appealing and comfortable for users.
Bench placement for universal access
Bench placement is also critical for people with limited mobility, as it can significantly enhance their ability to enjoy and navigate outdoor spaces. Properly positioned and appropriately spaced benches provide essential resting points along pathways, allowing individuals to take breaks, avoid fatigue, and reduce the strain on their bodies. They are especially important in large parks or reserves, gardens, or urban settings where walking long distances may be challenging.
For those with mobility aids, such as walkers or wheelchairs, benches need to be placed at accessible locations, with ample space around them for easy approach and transfer, ensuring compliance with guidelines like the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Features such as armrests, backrests, and a seat height suitable for easy sitting and standing are vital for added support. Thoughtful placement near entrances, key landmarks, or scenic views ensures that everyone, regardless of mobility limitations, can experience the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.
Blending Function and Aesthetics
Benches must strike a balance between being inviting and aesthetically integrated into the space. Their design should guide people intuitively to places where they can relax, socialize, or reflect. The orientation of benches can influence how people move through the landscape, whether they pause to take in a view, or stay for longer periods in communal or contemplative spaces.
Ultimately, the bench is not just an object—it is an experience. When designed thoughtfully, it becomes an integral part of the landscape, providing a moment of pause and connection to the environment. By considering custom designs, appropriate materials, and strategic positioning, landscape architects use benches to enhance the functionality, comfort, and beauty of outdoor spaces.
AI disclosure: ChatGPT assisted in the creation of this article by providing draft text in response to prompts curated by the author.
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¹ The concept of prospect and refuge was originated by the British geographer and urban planner Jay Appleton. He introduced this idea in his 1975 book, The Experience of Landscape. Appleton’s theory suggests that humans are drawn to environments that offer a balance of prospect—open views where one can observe the surroundings—and refuge—places that provide shelter or protection. This instinctive preference is believed to be rooted in evolutionary survival, where open views allowed early humans to spot potential threats, while nearby refuge provided safety. The prospect-refuge theory continues to influence design in architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture.
