Spanish designer Elena Martinez has redefined urban furniture with her "Root Benches" project, creating modular seating systems grown from recycled concrete and living plants. Installed in Barcelona's Plaça de Catalunya, each bench combines 3D-printed recycled plastic frames with self-watering soil compartments housing native shrubs.

Martinez's innovation lies in her patented hydroponic system, where plant roots absorb rainwater through hollow concrete beams. The modular design allows citizens to disassemble benches into planting modules, transforming public spaces into community gardens during festivals. The project reduced municipal waste management costs by 25% while increasing pedestrian dwell time by 40%.

"Design should grow with the city," Martinez stated. Her work earned the European Product Design Award and inspired Lisbon's metro system to pilot similar living infrastructure. The benches now feature QR codes linking to AR tutorials on urban gardening.