The Woking Benchscape is a modular landscape of seating and planting, created for the Phoenix Cultural Centre to support its role as a community hub — encouraging gathering, play, and seasonal planting in a previously underused space.
A Garden of Seating for a Growing Community
We believe good design should bring people together, celebrate play, and create lasting opportunities for connection. In partnership with EcoWorld London, we designed and created a landscape of modular seating units for Phoenix Cultural Centre in Woking, north-west Surrey.
Phoenix Cultural Centre
Strategy
The Phoenix Cultural Centre is an inclusive, community-led venue that provides space for creative, cultural and wellbeing activities. It supports local people and grassroots groups through workshops, gigs, training, and support services, helping to foster connection and opportunity across Woking.
The venue was looking to revitalise its outdoor space in support of its recovery following the challenges of the COVID-19 years. Rooted in the Centre’s history of hosting outdoor events and performances, the furniture needed to create a flexible and welcoming space that can adapt to the rhythms of community life.
The modular benches can be arranged in multiple configurations, including long, linear seating for markets and gatherings, or curved, amphitheatre-style layouts for performances. When positioned around the perimeter, the system helps define a sense of enclosure while softening the edge between the space and the adjacent car park.
This adaptability ensures the setting remains useful and engaging, whether for planned events or informal, everyday use.
Early clay sketch models experimenting with form and function
Different module heights and arrangements allowing for a variety of uses
An imagined expanded family of furniture to enliven the plaza
Colour tests for a green and purple palette
Final colour arrangements
Specificity
The system consists of three core components: sculpted timber benches, raised platforms and integrated planters. All are connected through a robust base chassis. Each element was designed to invite use by a wide range of users, with varied seating heights and playful geometries that encourage both rest and interaction.
The design encourages informal and spontaneous engagement. Children are able to climb, perch and explore, while adults can sit or lean on different levels, making the space feel playful and engaging.
These variations in form help bring character to the space and allow people to experience it in subtly different ways.
To enhance what was previously a hard-edged, bare corner of the site, the carved timber seating introduces warmth, texture and a natural tactility. The benches are designed to be robust and heavy enough to withstand public use and exposure to the elements, while remaining easy to reposition using a pallet lifter.
1:1 foam models tested the seat ergonomics
Constructed in London by The White Wall Company
Glue-laminated timber UK-larch batons formed the seating modules.
The timber seats were designed to be hollow to reduce material volume.
The completed modules were craned onto site
The completed modules were craned onto site
The completed modules were craned onto site
Once placed, the modules can be moved via palette lifter
Sustainability
Built-in planters are filled with seasonal species chosen for their colour, scent and ecological benefit. The mix includes purples, pinks and yellows that complement the tones of the benches and provide year-round interest while supporting pollinators.
The planting process also became a moment of community collaboration. Local volunteers from the Sussex Choices' Growth Team, the Phoenix Cultural Centre and RHS Wisley joined forces for a planting day, filling the beds with herbs and flowering species donated by RHS Wisley.
This collective effort helped embed the space within the community, encouraging shared ownership and care.
Made from locally-sourced, sustainable UK larch, the Benchscape reflects a low-impact approach to placemaking.
By combining simple materials, adaptable design and community involvement, the project has created a setting that continues to support conversation, creativity and connection in Woking’s cultural life.
Awards
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