Circula: Tomek Rygalik's Circular Design
Circula, by Polish designer Tomek Rygalik, is a bench created to offer a symbolic and functional space for dialogue and encourage direct social interactions. “Humans are social creatures. That fact contains both the problem and the solution to our current crisis,” says Tomek Rygalik.
“Human beings are not intended to be a solitary species: we are social animals. Today everyone’s talking about distancing – but there will come a moment dedicated to recovery from all of this, both physically and relationally.”
Originally commissioned to encourage social interaction among children in schools, Circula has become a design for the whole community and a profound statement of values: responsibility, ethics and sustainability in design. ECO Solidarity, the program promoted by Studio Rygalik in collaboration with the Polish Cultural Institute of New York, is based on these values and it led to the development of the Circula project.
If Circula’s main aim is to encourage dialogue and relationships - what better form could it take than a circle? A perfect geometric figure, with neither beginning nor end. A universal symbol of balance and harmony that naturally brings people together. The circle cancels out all hierarchies and divisions. Sitting in a circle allows us to look everyone in the eye, to better express ourselves and get to know each other. It makes us more open to others and supports inclusivity. It encourages sharing and stimulates the creative flow. This also makes Circula an ideal place for informal meetings and brainstorming sessions.
The materials
Round in name and form, Circula is the stylistic and conceptual synthesis of the circularity of design. Made from sustainable, durable materials, the Circula bench is designed to recover, reintegrate, and stand the test of time. The three different versions are made of spruce or pine wood, recycled plastic, and phosphate steel. The wood is sourced from responsibly-managed, FSC- or PEFC-certified forests. The plastic is made 100% from recycled packaging and was developed in collaboration with Boomplastic - a creative studio dedicated to plastic recycling. The visual and tactile result of this version is the beauty of waste material: the recycled plastic remains partially transparent to highlight the coarse and colorful fragments suspended within it.
