City: A Versatile Urban Furniture Product Family

Designing Functional and Aesthetic Spaces

Transporting large volumes of urban furniture has always been a difficult task, posing challenges for manufacturers who need to produce and stock semi-finished products in different locations. The City design project aims to simplify production methods and reduce the number of production steps. The key concept behind this project is the combination of identical product parts that can be easily intertwined.

What sets City apart from other urban furniture designs is its ability to respond to various needs while contributing to the visual coherence of the space. All the products in the City family are formed by assembling the same piece in different quantities. This not only simplifies transportation but also provides production advantages. The metal parts of the products are laser-cut and can be bent without the need for molds.

The production process for City begins with cutting and sizing sheet materials using a laser machine. The cut parts are then bent using a linear bending machine, resulting in the final shape. The products are painted with electrostatic powder paint for a durable finish. As an optional feature, the seating surfaces of the products can be made with accoya wood. Thanks to the use of identical pieces, there are very few semi-finished products involved in the production process.

The City product family includes a bench, a broad bench, a pot, a big bin, a big bin triple version, a small bin, and a small bin triple version. Each product has specific measurements, ensuring that they fit seamlessly into urban spaces while providing functionality. The design team, consisting of Süha Süzen, Asım Kaya, and Mahmut Çankaya, has meticulously considered the technical specifications to meet the requirements of urban furniture.

Assembly of the City products is straightforward. After unpacking, the pieces are assembled using a small number of bolts, making them ready for use. The bench, flower bed, and large trash can complement each other, creating a cohesive and functional environment. The trash cans can be configured in various combinations, allowing for flexibility in design. Additionally, the products can be installed on the floor, adding stability and security.

The City project was designed and prototyped in Konya, Turkey in 2019. The design is currently in the process of being registered in Turkey. Extensive research was conducted to identify the challenges faced by urban furniture producers and to develop solutions that address these issues. User research played a crucial role in shaping the design, which was further refined through prototyping.

One of the main challenges of the City project was to create aesthetically pleasing and durable products with fewer production steps. The design team also aimed to standardize semi-finished products to reduce the workload of manufacturers. The visual integrity of the products in urban spaces was another important consideration. Combining all these demands into a single design project required creative problem-solving and technical expertise.

City is not only a functional and versatile urban furniture product family but also a testament to the designers' commitment to aesthetics, efficiency, and sustainability. Its easy production from sheet metal, fragmented structure for transportation, and use of identical parts contribute to its appeal. The design team, Süha Süzen, Asım Kaya, and Mahmut Çankaya, have created a design that not only enhances urban spaces but also meets the needs of both manufacturers and users.

Images:

Image #1: Illustrator Asım Kaya, City, 2019.

Image #2: Illustrator Asım Kaya, City, 2019.

Image #3: Illustrator Asım Kaya, City, 2019.

Image #4: Illustrator Asım Kaya, City, 2019.

Image #5: Illustrator Asım Kaya, City, 2019.

Intellectual Property Notice: Patent pending, InLupa By Ciftsan 2019

Awards and Accolades: City was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Street and City Furniture Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The City design stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and contribution to a better world.