oardeal

The Buffalo Benches Project was a collaboration between the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning and the Old First Ward Community Association. The goal of the collaboration was for students to design and fabricate high-quality benches for the Old First Ward neighborhood.

Two key objectives controlled the design of each bench:

1. They must be ergonomically comfortable.

2. They must honor the history of the Old First Ward.

The Old First Ward was home to the first rowing club in Buffalo, Mutual Rowing Club. Oardeal pays homage to this rowing heritage in a series of two benches that utilize used crew oars to create sitting surfaces. A full-length rowing shell has eight rowers. Thus, each bench has eight oars. One bench uses classic symmetrical macon blades. The other uses modern asymmetrical hatchet blades. All were painted with the blade patterns of local clubs and schools, including Mutual Rowing Club.

Project Type: Studio

Role: Designer and Fabricator

Professor: Brad Wales

Client: Old First Ward Community Association