FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arisa Bench: Sculptural Urban Seating Promoting Social Interaction and Adaptability

Arisa, a modular bench designed by architect Pedro Fernández Cortina, has earned the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in the Street and City Furniture category for 2025. Unveiled to the public during the Mextropoli festival in Mexico City in September 2024, Arisa stands out for its innovative approach to urban seating-blending sculptural aesthetics with a focus on social engagement. The bench's design, rooted in the golden ratio, features varying heights that invite people of all ages to interact, play, rest, and connect within public spaces.

Crafted from Rokam, a sustainable and lightweight recycled concrete, Arisa redefines the possibilities of street furniture. Its organic, curved form encourages natural conversation and interaction, while the modular system allows for flexible configurations to suit diverse environments. The bench's robust yet elegant construction ensures long-term durability, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings. Extensive research and user observation informed the design, addressing a gap in Mexican urban furniture by prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors alike.

The development of Arisa presented significant creative and technical challenges, particularly in achieving the balance between aesthetic appeal and structural integrity using lightweight concrete. Through experimentation with materials and form, the design team succeeded in creating a piece that is both visually striking and highly functional. The result is a bench that not only enhances public spaces but also fosters a sense of community and belonging, embodying a new standard for multifunctional urban furniture. The Silver A' Design Award recognizes Arisa's outstanding innovation, technical excellence, and positive impact on the urban landscape.

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