“How much better is silence; the coffee cup, the table. How much better to sit by myself like the solitary sea-bird that opens its wings on the stake. Let me sit here forever with bare things, this coffee cup, this knife, this fork, things in themselves, myself being myself.”
- Virginia Woolf, The Waves
Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s evocative words in The Waves, this bench is designed as a space for reflection and connection, honouring her introspection and her time in Fitzrovia, London—a neighbourhood she once called home, where her creative spirit flourished.
The bench embodies duality, offering intimate spaces for personal reflection while remaining open to playful interaction. Users are invited to sit, lean, or climb, capturing a balance between stillness and movement.
Crafted from off-cut marble and cement, it highlights sustainable innovation by repurposing materials into a structure that is both beautiful and enduring. The footings are covered with concrete tiles created during two community workshops at the Fitzrovia Community Centre, inspired by the same quote from Woolf that sparked this design.
Drawing from the artistic legacy of Charleston, Woolf’s retreat with the Bloomsbury Group, the design also pays homage to Fitzrovia’s literary and cultural history. Positioned in this historic neighborhood, the bench bridges Woolf’s world with the present, creating a space for reflection in a place she once walked and imagined.
This is more than just a bench, it is a poetic gesture. A place to pause, reflect, and embrace the “bare things” of life, just as Woolf described. Its versatile form encourages both quiet contemplation and joyful interaction, inviting residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in Woolf’s enduring legacy.
Sponsored by Seddons GSC
