MVRDV Designs Barcode, a Modular Concrete Street Furniture Collection for Escofet

Three concrete modules, Tribune, Dune and Desk, share one height and width, so cities can line them up as a long strip or group them into compact islands.

illustrarch Editoral Team25 October 20261 Mins read1

MVRDV Designs Barcode, a Modular Concrete Street Furniture Collection for Escofet

Barcode modules in green concrete laid out as an undulating seating surface. · Image: courtesy MVRDV

Architecture studio MVRDV has created Barcode street furniture for Escofet, the Barcelona manufacturer of urban furniture. The collection is built from coloured concrete pieces that can be pushed together into seating landscapes, and it was presented at the Barcelona Pavilion by MVRDV co-founder Jacob van Rijs, who led the design, Dezeen reports.

Three modules behind Barcode street furniture

The system rests on just three base units. Tribune is a run of wide steps that people can climb or sit on. Dune is a smooth incline meant for lying back. Desk pairs a table with two benches, so a group can eat or work outdoors. Planters and other accessories can be attached to the units.

Because every module has an identical width and height, the pieces join into one unbroken surface. Placed in a long row they recall the stripes of a barcode, which gave the range its name; set two by two they form small islands instead. Counting all the variants, MVRDV puts the number of available elements at 72.

Rendering of a paved courtyard with red, grey and green concrete benches, steps and a table set between young trees — A rendering of the modules arranged in a residential courtyard. · Image: courtesy MVRDV

Escofet produces the pieces in all eight of its concrete colours. Brighter options such as red, green and yellow sit alongside quieter grey, white, beige and black.

Seating that the public completes

For Van Rijs, the point is to let people decide how a square or street is used. He criticises the habit of choosing benches from a catalogue and leaving them “in the most predictable places”. With Barcode, he argues, the urban designer sets out an arrangement, but the people who sit, climb and gather on it shape how it actually works.

Two men sitting on pale grey concrete steps in front of the glass and marble Barcelona Pavilion — Jacob van Rijs (right) at the launch of the collection at the Barcelona Pavilion. · Image: courtesy MVRDV

MVRDV was founded in 1991 by Van Rijs with Winy Maas and Nathalie de Vries. The office has worked on public furniture before: a huge woven mat that served as seating during Bangkok Design Week, and bright blue play areas along a 200 metre park under a flyover in Mumbai.

Sources:Dezeen