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Within the redevelopment of the former Bergoss carpet factory in Oss, artist Ellen Spanjaard was commissioned to design a work of art that would connect the public space with the site’s industrial past. The starting point became the iconic wall-to-wall carpet that was produced in the factory for many years. The question: how do you translate ‘broadloom’ into a sculptural object in the city?
The answer is an unusual steel bench, as if it were literally cut from a roll of carpet. The commonly used natural patterns from historic carpets return as cut-out shapes that are padded with grass. This creates an exciting contrast between hard and soft, between the cool steel and the living greenery.
Galvanized steel as a durable carrier of history
The bench is constructed entirely of 6000 × 2000 × 8 mm steel plate. The seat is rolled from two sheets of different diameters; perforations in the seat and back reduce heating in summer as well as allowing rainwater to drain away. After a prototype phase, additional reinforcements were added to minimize suspension and increase vandal resistance-important for long-term use in public spaces.
The choice of material is deliberate and meaningful: hot-dip galvanized steel connects functionality and symbolism. On the one hand, it provides the necessary corrosion resistance for a low-maintenance work of art that should last for decades. On the other hand, the silver-gray, slightly matted surface fits seamlessly with Bergoss’ industrial history. The bench thus refers not only to the “wall-to-wall” product, but also to the robust steel structures that once dominated the factory grounds. The result is a recognizable, inviting and durable object that tangibly connects past and present.
