"Palm" Garden Sign / Bench

Designers: John Lessl, Bertrand Genoist, Alper Aytac, Tyler Runner

The Manzanita Garden Bench is a multi-purpose design object. We believe it will serve several roles, including practical, symbolic, emotional, and landmark responsibilities for the Garden. The primary role of the bench is to serve as a pleasant place to sit and take in the entirety of the Manzanita Garden after a day's work. Its continuous shape serves as the seat of the bench, and then fluidly moves to become a shading device for those using the bench. The placement of the bench also serves a role in proclaiming the Manzanita Garden to the public along Sunset Boulevard. It serves as both a fence, restricting access to the garden, but more importantly serves as a landmark announcing the garden to those traveling along Sunset Boulevard, lending Manzanita Garden a distinct presence in the City of Los Angeles. Finally, the extended, tapering shade devices will bend gently in the wind, creating a sense of movement and vibrancy echoing the life cycles of the plants and animals occupying the Manzanita Garden.