Paris

Variations is the inclusive bench Chapelet Studio designed for Place de la Nation in Paris. The studio won the City's tender, which called for benches accessible to everyone. Around a hundred Variations benches have furnished the square since 2020–2021.

A bench designed for inclusion

The starting idea: welcome able-bodied people and people with reduced mobility in the same place. The bench takes a C shape. Its centre lets a wheelchair through and gives it room to turn around, so its user can sit at the heart of the bench, alongside everyone else.

Concave and convex backrests

The backrests alternate concave and convex shapes. They offer many ways to sit: face to face, back to back, alone or in a group. The bench becomes a meeting place as much as a resting place.

A modular concept

Variations is a system of modules that assemble together, so each layout adapts to the square, garden or pavement where it stands. Options complete the bench: a table, armrests and USB charging.

Powder-coated steel and wood, made in Italy

The bench combines a powder-coated steel structure with wooden seats. Since Place de la Nation, Variations has joined the catalogue of Lab23®, an Italian manufacturer. It is made in Italy, like all the products the studio develops with Lab23®.

Lab23, an Italian manufacturer, makes street furniture in Italy from steel, Corten, wood and Hypergranite. It shows the studio's designs alongside those of Zaha Hadid, at Milan's Fuorisalone and in the specialist press.