UC131
dry fallen walnut tree from Lobera (Palencia)
400x70x45 cm
Year built
2025
Function
Sitting
Status
No longer available
UC131 is a four-metre-long bench designed by Iñigo Calleja for one of the leading architecture practices in southern Spain, known for its luxury residences set within the exceptional natural surroundings of the Sotogrande Reserve.
The bench sits at one end of a long swimming pool, framed by expansive travertine paving and exceptional landscaping.
The challenge was to create a piece with the sculptural presence and aesthetic refinement demanded by a project of this calibre, while meeting the durability requirements of outdoor furniture.
We chose iroko, a timber particularly well suited to outdoor conditions, and selected some of the thick, wide boards we keep in reserve in our workshop for projects of this kind. Their substantial section is also a considered construction choice: alongside selecting the right timber, material mass is one of the best ways to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements. The challenge was to give such a substantial structure a sense of visual lightness. Iñigo refined its geometry to achieve a more slender silhouette, finished with two pronounced cantilevers at either end that reinforce its architectural character.
The bench is made up of three sections joined through connections that appear simple but demand first-rate woodworking skills to execute. This level of craftsmanship is non-negotiable in our work. Its presence introduces a note of natural warmth into a setting of refined architectural lines and mineral tones.
