Outdoor Seating  furniture design

Along the main building of the Ballard Pier Cruise Terminal in Mumbai is an open space that touches the sea. The brief was to design furniture for this space so people could enjoy the openness of the sky and its close proximity to the water. Over time, the space is expected to gradually develop into a leisure and event area.This gave us the opportunity to explore seating that is not limited to regular forms. We also wanted to avoid adding elements that imposed height on the open landscape. Through a series of explorations, we arrived at shapes that are reminiscent of large, softly formed pebbles. We designed four such shapes of different dimensions. We also wanted to bring a sense of play in the scale of these shapes, since the openness would not make them seem large. These forms do not define a fixed way of seating. People can choose to sit, lean, or play with them in their own way.
The shapes were detailed to be produced in GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete), which allows them to withstand outdoor conditions while also giving them a natural feel. We considered a light grey tint for these forms, though options such as white and colours were also explored.

The shapes would be placed freely within the space—some positioned close to each other to encourage conversations, and others placed further apart to allow people a quiet moment to sit and reflect by the sea.
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© Ajay Shah Design Studio 2026