The project begins with two simple elements: the ground and the bench. A continuous surface of traditional Lisbon calçada brings the space together, dissolving its boundaries into a single urban carpet. Through a subtle gradient in stone, the pavement becomes a tapestry—shifting in tone and density while recalling one of Lisbon’s most recognisable materials. Rather than simply covering the ground, the calçada gives the square a new identity and sense of continuity.

Across this tapestry, the bench becomes more than a place to sit. It unfolds through the space as a continuous line, sometimes enclosing, sometimes opening, defining different areas without creating physical barriers. Its length allows it to be appropriated freely: by one person or many, for a brief pause or a longer gathering.

Ground and bench become the two gestures that shape the square: one creates continuity, the other creates place. Together, they transform the surroundings of Mercado dos Olivais into a generous public space—open, flexible and unmistakably Lisbon.