frondosa was developed as a submission for the Oeiras Parque "Design a Prémio" 2024 competition.

The geometric shapes of the bench are inspired by the structure of a tree, with the design distilled from its natural form. The name "frondosa" refers to the "vast and lush canopy," with the seat symbolizing the canopy and the central cork piece representing the trunk.

The island-style bench is designed to comfortably accommodate the greatest number of people, aiming to blend natural national materials with modern industrial elements. Cork, chosen for its association with nature, calm, and a reference to Alentejo cork oak trees, aligns with the shopping center’s color palette, while the recycled plastic reflects environmental concerns and promotes new life cycles for objects while bringing a modern touch to the piece.

From nature to the shopping center.

early concepts

concept for frondosa furniture collection

The seat, made from recycled PP plastic, offers excellent load resistance and easy maintenance. Cork provides both mental and physical comfort to customers.

Pinewood beams, which represent the branches of the tree supporting the canopy, help distribute the load across the structure.

A central cork piece, where costumers rest their backs, separates opposite sides of the bench, offering additional comfort and privacy. It features a compartment that can be used for decoration, customer items, or printed materials and advertisements for the shopping center. Possibilities are only limited by available space.

The plastic seat piece, can be made in different colors to symbolize the seasons, being changed throughout the year, creating a dynamic element and fostering an emotional connection with customers.

Creating a connection with the user.

seat support detail

frondosa in Oeiras Parque shopping center (concept render)