Schindelei: Urban Furniture that Reimagines Public Space

In the Austrian town of Zirl, the desire of children and young people for more color, greenery, and spaces where they could gather became the starting point for a design that transformed public space.

Designed by Studio Carraldo , Schindelei creates a new seating area in front of the town's cultural center, consisting of movable benches and plant pots. Part of a local regeneration initiative, the project is based on the idea that public space can be shaped according to the needs of its users.

The design's material language is inspired by traditional wooden shingles commonly used in Alpine architecture . These layered wooden surfaces, covering benches and plant pots, are combined with yellow, red, and pink details, bringing the region's architectural heritage into the public space with a contemporary and playful interpretation.

Schindelei's most striking feature is its adaptability. Each bench has its own color code. When the benches are moved, they leave colored marks on the plant pots. Thus, the seating elements can be separated and reassembled like puzzle pieces, creating different seating arrangements and meeting areas.

Schindelei shows that public space doesn't always need a fixed order. Sometimes a few movable benches, some greenery and color are enough for people to reconfigure a space according to their own needs.

Project Details

Design: Studio Carraldo

Location: Zirl, Austria

Year: 2026

Type: Public space design / Urban furniture