The Basque country in Spain is not only famed for its beautiful coastline and decadent food, but its prowess in furniture and industrial design.

Sellex S.A.U was founded in San Sebastian in 1977 as a furniture design business. Over their 40 years in the industry, Sellex have become stalwarts in the contract furniture industry, manufacturing furniture for more than 40 countries across the globe. 

They place a large emphasis on strong collaborations with innovative and talented designers. Some of these partnerships include Lievore, Altherr & Molina, Gemma Bernal, Carlos Tíscar , Mario Ruiz and Burkhard Vogtherr. The products of these alliances have garnered international acclaim and prestigious awards, including the National Design Award 2011, which is awarded in recognition of a company’s exceptional work in the realm of Design.

Sellex joined forces with Spanish designer Enric Miralles to create the Vacante Bench (vacante is Spanish for “vacant”). Born in 1955, Miralles studied at the School of Architecture of Barcelona. After lecturing at Columbia University in 1980-81, Miralles undertook multiple collaborations before going out on his own, eventually opening his own studio with his wife, Benedetta Tagliabue, in 1993. He is renowned for his redesign of the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona and the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Miralles’ highly inventive skills transferred into the realm of industrial design with his production of the Vacante Bench. Popular around the world, you have likely seen or even sat on these benches without even knowing it! You can find them in many locations around Australia, including Brisbane and Hervey Bay Airports.

The Vacante Bench is designed for high usage in public areas, both indoors and outdoors. This particular version features a hardy oak shell that curves elegantly around a sturdy steel frame. This simple aesthetic allows it to fit in anywhere, yet the minimalist design belies the robustness of the bench. The brilliance of this piece lies in the impeccable use of high-quality materials to produce a strong and durable seating solution that lasts.

Perfect for waiting rooms or high traffic areas, the Sellex Vacante Bench makes for excellent use of space in almost any setting.