Westonbirt arboretum bench
A Seat with a View – The Silk Wood Community Planting Project Bench
Project Overview
Ed designed this bench in collaboration with Stand + Stare who provided the information panels. Alex and Ed built this bespoke circular woodland bench which now takes pride of place in the newly restored community-planted woodland within Silk Wood at the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. Designed to tell a profound story of loss, ecological regeneration, and future hope, the seating structure merges fine artisanal woodworking with community storytelling.
Sustainable Craftsmanship & Materials
- Locally Sourced Timber: Entirely constructed from Westonbirt oak.
- Placement: The trunk-like cutaway seating configuration gracefully embraces a centrally planted wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis), a rare native UK ancient woodland indicator species grown from seed collected and planted within Silk Wood.
- Tactile Storytelling: Five distinct intersection nibs feature collections of varying-height wooden stumps adorned with carved illustrations representing the felling of ash trees due to dieback, community involvement, and the flourishing new ecosystem.
Inclusive, Accessible Design
Built with universal access and multi-generational engagement in mind, the bench features:
- Generous wheelchair spacing and comfortable curved back and armrests to assist visitors in sitting and standing.
- Varying stump heights designed to offer play and exploration opportunities for children.
- Tactile etchings and visual carvings that convey the narrative without relying solely on text, welcoming non-readers, young children, and visitors with visual impairments or neurodivergence.
Explore more of our bespoke architectural woodwork and community installations on edbrooks.com.
