Terracero - Mayrit Design Bienal

Developed in 2022 as a core installation for the Mayrit Design Biennial in Madrid, Terracero is a functional urban intervention that explores the intersection of social ergonomics, industrial materials, and the traditional Spanish terrace culture. Commissioned to create a meeting point for the biennial’s headquarters, the studio transformed a transit area into a vibrant social landmark.

The design team conceptualized Terracero as a series of modular sitting and gathering elements that utilize the aesthetics of "pro-cycling." The installation is primarily built from galvanized steel industrial components and concrete weights, materials typically associated with construction and temporary infrastructure. By recontextualizing these rugged, durable elements into ergonomic furniture, the studio highlights the beauty of industrial standardized parts while providing a robust solution for public space.

Technically, the project follows the studio's strict circular logic. The modules are designed for mechanical assembly, using structural clamps and bolts that avoid any permanent welding or adhesives. This ensures that the entire installation is 100% dismountable and that the materials can be returned to the industrial cycle or reconfigured in different urban contexts without losing their value. The choice of galvanized steel also ensures long-term weather resistance with minimal maintenance.

As a site-specific project for Mayrit, Terracero serves as a tool to activate the city's architectural heritage through contemporary design. By creating a high-contrast visual and tactile experience—the cold, precise steel against the historic courtyard of the Matadero or similar cultural venues—the team proves that urban furniture can be both a functional infrastructure and a critical statement on how we produce and consume the objects that facilitate our social interactions.