Whale Tail: A Bench Inspired by the Ocean

Enrique Minguez's Award-Winning Design Merges Art, Function, and Sustainability

The Whale Tail Bench is a unique piece of furniture that takes its inspiration from one of the most iconic images the ocean offers us: the whale tails. This single support design allows for elegance and sobriety in both urban and natural environments. It can be placed either by itself or in small groups, enabling the seating space to resemble the vision of a single whale or of a whole pod swimming in harmony.

What sets this design apart is its versatility in material usage. It can be made of fiberglass reinforced either with wood or concrete. Yet, in its most environmentally efficient version, it can also be made of fiberglass reinforced with concrete and recycled plastic. All of these combinations enable the seat to follow a clean and ergonomic shape. Depending on the materials chosen, it can resist up to 310kg.

The design process of the Whale Tail Bench involved three different manufacturing processes: fiberglass reinforced with wood, fiberglass with reinforced concrete and recycled plastic, and reinforced concrete. Each process had its unique challenges, such as maintaining the beauty of the surface element and ensuring the breathability of the concrete. However, these challenges were overcome by adapting the manufacturing process to the different materials and making changes in the pouring method and concrete grain reduction.

The Whale Tail Bench is not just a sitting bench. When unoccupied, its soft undulating shapes make it a sculptural element, adding aesthetic value to seafronts, ports, parks, squares, streets, and boulevards. The project started in September 2019 and finished in March 2020 in Cartagena, Spain. It was exhibited in the port of Cartagena in June 2020 and has been proposed for a large-area shopping center.

The design process involved data collection by observation and the use of Design Thinking Methodology to ensure ergonomics was present, framed by the connection to the sea. After studying various marine items to abstract their basic shapes, the focus turned to capturing the aerodynamic and organic essence of the marine environment. The tail of a whale was found to resemble the basic ergonomics of a seat, leading to the creation of this innovative bench.

The Whale Tail Bench is a testament to Minguez's commitment to creating designs that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable. This piece of urban furniture is a versatile element for both indoors and outdoors. The shape of the seat and its support makes the bench resemble the tail of a whale without compromising its ergonomics and stability. A thin layer of fibreglass covers its inner core of wood or concrete enriched with recycled plastic. It can be placed alone or in small groups, adding a touch of the ocean to any space.