Project: PebbleScape
Author: Tobias Bernstein
Team TOKA Design have spent the residency refining a modular urban furniture system inspired by river pebbles.
With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, we create spaces that inspire, elevate, and enrich the lives of those who inhabit them.
PebbleScape is an innovative modular urban furniture system
that reimagines public spaces as inclusive, nature-integrated,
climate-resilient environments. Inspired by the organic form of
river pebbles, each module combines seating, play features,
biodiversity support, urban gardening, and digital interaction
into a seamless design that harmonises with Barcelona’s
architectural identity.
Our key objectives:
- Create an inclusive, multi-generational space promoting
interaction, rest, and play - Improve urban climate through integrated tree canopies,
water management, and vegetation - Promote sustainability using up to 50% rFRP recycled
plastic and modular construction - Enhance nighttime safety with integrated solar-powered
lighting - Foster biodiversity via built-in habitats for birds and insects
- Generate multifunctional Pebbles with added functionality
like bikestands and trashbins - Attractive, curiosity -awakening design
Concept evolution and final solution
The initial concept was a collection of several large seating
units with backrests, as well as large planters. Extensive
decking was intended to collect rainwater and, like a gutter,
direct the water to the plants. We integrated a lot of different
functionalities such as bikestands, lantern, waste bin, kid’s
slide and shade-providing trees.
After several optimization iterations and material testing
with different production technologies (casting, milling and
laminating, compound ratio testing) with focus of a feasible
production process and cost efficiency an final prototype was
created.
