Beginning with a simple premise – create a piece of furniture that complements the experience of being in nature – Copenhagen- and Porto-based designer Hugo Passos developed the Banco bench. Originally a contribution for a one-off exhibition in Finland in 2019, the outdoor bench is now available from Skagerak by Fritz Hansen (the two Danish furniture brands became one after the recent acquisition of Skagerak by Fritz Hansen and will operate under the new brand name moving forward). 

Slightly tweaked in scale to be more lightweight and suitable for production, the Banco bench brings a fresh iteration to a familiar typology.

Its defining organically rounded backrest that – that Passos compares to an edamame bean or Japanese daruma doll – fits perfectly to the contours of the sitter’s back, providing an ergonomically comfortable seat. 

The sculpted back’s function extends beyond relaxation, however, by also allowing for multi-directional seating when the bench is configured in a double-facing version; a single-sided Banco bench is also available, with both featuring a two-plank seat with a gentle curve. 

Made from 100 per cent FSC-certified teak, Banco benches are shipped flat-packed and the warm tone of the natural wood will take on a silvery grey patina that nods to the brands’ Scandinavian heritage.