Skagerak Banco Bench, 2022

Banco bench designed by Hugo Passos for Skagerak.

Designed originally as a one-off exhibition piece, the bench by Hugo Passos derives beauty from the simple premise of creating furniture that enhances the experience of nature. The organic backrest is both expressive and functional, perfectly shaped for the contour of the back it enables people to sit in either direction on the double-facing bench.

The Banco bench is available in two versions as a double-facing or single-sided bench and sold as a flat-pack. Made in teak, warm when new and silvery grey when patinated, the bench speaks to Skagerak’s heritage and Scandinavian roots.

“I wanted to make it as pleasant as possible for people to enjoy nature. The sun moves so the double bench can be used on either side and while seeking to design a backrest for comfort I also tried to achieve beauty. The end result is somehow reminiscent of a Japanese daruma or edamame bean, bringing a sort of unexpected softness and dynamism to the strong straight lines of the long teak planks of the seat,” says designer Hugo Passos.