Nessie: Redefining Urban Benches

George Drakakis' Award-Winning Design Transforms Public Seating

Drakakis' inspiration for Nessie came from a desire to change the common perception of urban benches. He aimed to create a design that was not only functional and robust but also easy to install and adaptable to the city's existing infrastructures. The result was a unique, fluid design that could be easily "dropped" into place and forgotten, blending seamlessly into the urban landscape.

Nessie's unique properties lie in its simplicity and adaptability. The design is based on a single unit that can be combined in various ways to create different setups. This robust concrete design is easy to install on-site, making it a practical and versatile solution for urban seating.

The bench is made from reinforced cast stone, using a specific mold made of polyester reinforced with glass fiber and metallic chassis. This ensures the geometrical stability of the piece during the manufacturing process. The finished surface is softly acid-etched and waterproofed, adding to the bench's durability and longevity.

Drakakis faced several challenges during the design process. The main challenge was to redefine the common perception of the "urban bench" while respecting the existing urban environment and minimizing installation costs. Despite these challenges, Drakakis succeeded in creating a design that is not only functional and durable but also aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to use.

Since its completion in June 2010, Nessie has been recognized for its innovative design and contribution to urban design. The design was awarded the Golden A' Street and City Furniture Design Award in 2014, a testament to Drakakis' creativity and vision. This award is granted to outstanding and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, George Drakakis' Nessie is a testament to the power of innovative design in transforming everyday objects. By reimagining the urban bench, Drakakis has created a design that is not only functional and durable but also aesthetically pleasing and easy to install. Nessie is a true monster of rock, a design that is set to change the way we think about urban seating.