Manga Bench: A Sculptural Piece Inspired by Marine Life

Elegant Simplicity and Sustainable Design

The Manga Bench draws its inspiration from the maritime context, using technology and materials typical of nautical engineering. Designed to awaken emotions in both urban and natural environments, it brings a touch of elegance and serenity to any setting.

With its elegant simplicity and minimalist design, the Manga Bench stands out with its soft undulating shapes. When unoccupied, it becomes a sculptural element, adding beauty to its surroundings. The purity of the lines and the roundness between planes reinforce the brightness and textures of the fiberglass and concrete materials used in its construction.

What sets the Manga Bench apart is not just its design, but also its commitment to sustainability. The materials used, such as fiberglass, fiber-reinforced concrete, and recycled plastic R-PET, have a real component of sustainability, circularity, and safety. From the extraction of raw materials to waste management, the environmental impact has been carefully considered at every stage of its existence.

Measuring 300 x 82 x 76 cm, with a seat base 44 cm from the ground, the Manga Bench provides both comfort and ergonomic support. Its inviting shape and soft undulations invite contemplation and relaxation, making it an ideal spot for people to gather and enjoy their surroundings.

The Manga Bench not only fulfills its function as a seat but also adds aesthetic value to urban spaces such as seafronts, ports, squares, streets, and boulevards. Its presence contributes to giving cities a human scale, identity, and collective meaning.

The project, led by Enrique Minguez Ros and Enrique Minguez Martinez, started in September 2019 and was completed in June 2020 in Cartagena, Spain. The bench has been exhibited in various locations, including the port of Cartagena in 2020 and the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Murcia (COAMU) in Murcia, Spain, in 2022.

The design of the Manga Bench involved extensive research and development. The aim was to create a piece that reflects marine life and the maritime context, using nautical engineering technologies and materials. A model and a mold were developed to obtain the final design, which was made of fiberglass—a material capable of evoking emotions in both urban and natural environments.

Overcoming creative and technical challenges, the design team successfully created a large urban element with dynamic undulating forms. The demolding process required adjustments to the initial sketch, and the fiberglass layer was optimized for production efficiency. Thanks to the technology and materials used in nautical engineering, the production of fiberglass benches has become simpler and more sustainable.

The Manga Bench has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Garden and Outdoor Furniture Design category in 2022. This prestigious award honors well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Manga Bench stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world.

With its unique blend of elegance, sustainability, and functionality, the Manga Bench is a testament to the power of design to enhance our urban environments and create meaningful spaces for people to connect with each other and with nature.