A quiet bench

A Bench in Stockbridge

A "bench and, perhaps in particular, the park bench, has become the symbol of the democratic city — of free, accessible and equitable public space provided by the city for its citizens. It is a place to be private in public, a small space in the melee of the metropolis where it is acceptable to do nothing, to consume nothing, to just be.  A truly free bench. "

Edwin Heathcote - Financial Times architecture critic