The Bench

PÁLMA is a coworking space and creative community in Budapest’s 11th district, co-founded by RJZS Architects, bringing together architects and creators from visual and theatrical fields.

We were approached by Orsolya Janota, project manager of the sycamore tree project initiated by INSERT, to reflect on the removal of several aged sycamore trees along Bartók Avenue.

Our approach was straightforward: to create a well-crafted object that would raise awareness beyond those directly involved in its making. Although we may differ in our views on public participation, we agree that quality lies in carefully considered details – a challenge within a one-day workshop.

We quickly settled on a bench, an evergreen solution. The crucial decision was its location: a corner near our office, at Vásárhelyi Pál Street and Bartók Avenue. Despite being heavily used by nearby shop owners, employees and customers, the corner lacked infrastructure to support these activities.

We selected a thick branch, around two metres long, with three natural points of support. Although it showed no visible signs of decay, we chose it to create a durable piece of public furniture, knowing that sycamore wood does not withstand outdoor conditions particularly well.

Our intervention was modest: we cut a flat surface along the branch and milled in a handwritten text explaining that the bench was made from sycamore timber removed from Bartók Avenue due to its age. The lettering was filled with synthetic resin, then polished and oiled.

During the installation, which was part of an urban walk, several passers-by stopped to watch. One local resident even brought champagne and flowers for the occasion. Seeing the bench used daily, just around the corner from our office, is deeply rewarding. It is a small but meaningful gesture when an object becomes a natural part of its surroundings.

site: Budapest, Vásárhelyi Pál street type: public intervention status: built year: 2022 size: 2 m team: RJZS Architects + Bene Tamás + PÁLMA members images credits: RJZS + Dorottya Novák