This bench is inspired by the simplest form and idea of a house; four walls, a pitched roof, and a place for shelter. Stone cubes allow for various viewing angles and seating positions amidst a rhythm of metal houses. Each unit is offset from the next to create a pattern much like a house-lined street. The red color was chosen to compliment the green landscape. Black and red granite chips in the concrete blend with the red houses to create a unified brutalist design. The houses provide a sense of separation for multiple users; an armrest and backrest, or a shaded place for man’s best friend.
Wood cube forms were made to the exact shape, poured with concrete, mixed with black and red granite chips for color; once cured, the concrete was lightly sandblasted to create a soft texture. Each finished cube was anchored to the concrete slab with a ¾” coil and epoxy. The joint between the concrete slab and cube was filled with a vulkem based sealant. A 1/8” thick coating of rubberized truck bed liner spray is adhered to all surfaces of the house-the coating is soft to the touch and UV protected so the color never fades. Each house is anchored to the concrete slab with four anchor bolts and acorn caps.
"House3" was sponsored by Bruce Frasier Architects and Artisan Stone Company. It was one of thirteen sculptural benches installed in 2010 along the paths of the Gene Leahy Mall as part of the "Take a Seat" project. The bench was moved from that location when renovations to the mall began in 2019, and placed in its current location along Flanagan Lake Road at Flanagan Lake.
