Design seating cube Sócrates Cubo® acid-etched
Design: Jordi Garcés & Enric Sòria - Dimensions: 60 x 60 x 45 (45) cm - Weight: 351 kg. - Material: cast concrete with natural stone aggregates - Finish: acid-etched and waterproofed - Colour: standard Escofet colour chart - Installation: free-standing element or with optional anchoring
Betonnen zitkubus met gezuurde, waterafstotend behandelde afwerking voor gebruik in de openbare ruimte. De kubusvorm heeft geen vaste zijrichting: het element kan vrij worden georiënteerd en als enkel zitpunt of in groepsschikking worden ingezet. De gezuurde afwerking legt de textuur van de natuursteen granulaten bloot en geeft het element een organisch karakter dat aansluit bij park- en groenomgevingen.
| Brand: Escofet 1886 |
| Material type 1: Cast concrete |
| Finish: Acid-Etched |
Concrete seating cube with acid-etched, waterproofed finish for use in public space. The cube form has no fixed orientation: the element can be freely positioned and used as a single seat or in grouped configurations. The acid-etched finish exposes the texture of the natural stone aggregates, giving the element an organic character that connects with park and green environments.
Seating without orientation
A cube has no front. The Sócrates Cubo® offers seating from any direction — visitors choose how and from which side they approach the element. This makes it well suited for plazas where movement patterns vary, for entrance areas where multiple arrival axes converge, and for rest points along pedestrian routes travelled in multiple directions. One element is an individual seating point in public space; three side by side form an informal bench; five in a cluster define a dwell zone.
Concrete as the final material
The Sócrates Cubo® is made of a single material: cast concrete with natural stone aggregates, acid-etched and waterproofed. The acid treatment exposes the texture of the aggregates — the surface acquires a granular character that connects with unworked stone, greenery, and naturalistically managed park environments. The waterproofing treatment protects the concrete for long-term outdoor use without masking the material-honest quality of the surface.
Configuration as a design act
The cube form makes the Sócrates Cubo® a configurable element. Unlike a linear bench, the cube does not dictate direction or sequence — three elements can be placed in parallel, perpendicular, or in an open cluster. This gives the designer control over the social dynamic the arrangement encourages: intimate and defined, or open and inviting. An arrangement that later needs to adapt to changing use patterns requires no new elements — only a different position.
The concrete foundation of the dwell zone
Concrete calls for concrete. A public space that chooses the Sócrates Cubo® as its seating element gains the most when the remaining hardscape elements follow the same material logic: bollards, planters, waste bins, and bike stands in the concrete finish of the Escofet collection. Servibo supplies all these elements through a single point of contact and advises on the composition of the complete dwell zone in public space. Specification texts for the Sócrates Cubo® are available on request.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Sócrates Cubo® be combined with the bench models in the Sócrates range?
Yes. The Sócrates Cubo® uses the same concrete mix, finishing processes, and colour palette as the Sócrates Banca 240® and 360®. Combinations of cubes and benches in the same finish are regularly used by designers to support varied use and dwell patterns within one zone.
Does the Sócrates Cubo® need to be anchored to the paving?
This depends on the location. The mass of the element provides sufficient stability in most situations. For publicly accessible spaces with elevated vandalism risk, anchoring in the underlying foundation can be specified. Servibo advises on the most appropriate installation method per project.
Is the Sócrates Cubo® available in colours outside the standard palette?
The Sócrates Cubo® is available in the standard Escofet colour palette. Project-specific colours are possible but require a separate quotation from Escofet and a minimum order quantity. Contact Servibo for the options for your project.
Specification text on request
For projects in public tender we provide specification texts that align with the standard technical descriptions for street furniture. Contact us at info@servibo.be. Technical sheets and material samples for assessing finish quality are also available.
Cast concrete with natural stone aggregates - finish : acid-etched and waterproofed
2 stud bolts M16 x x140 ( Din 931)
Simple installation with maximum versatility
The Sócrates 60 is easy to install due to its compact size and relatively light weight of 361 kg. The product is designed as a self-supporting element that can be placed directly on a solid, flat surface. For areas with high pedestrian traffic or where additional stability is required, the bench can be anchored by drilling holes, filling them with resin or mortar, and securing bolts (DIN 931 M16 x 140 mm).
Safe transport and placement
During transport, polyester slings should be used to safely move the Sócrates 60. Special care is needed to avoid damage to the etched finish during lifting and placement.
Low-maintenance and robust
Maintenance is minimal thanks to the durable and water-repellent concrete surface. For regular cleaning, the bench can be cleaned with water and a soft brush. For stubborn stains, a non-aggressive cleaner is recommended. These low-maintenance characteristics make the Sócrates 60 an ideal choice for public spaces that combine durability with aesthetics.
Betonnen zitkubus met gezuurde, waterafstotend behandelde afwerking voor gebruik in de openbare ruimte. De kubusvorm heeft geen vaste zijrichting: het element kan vrij worden georiënteerd en als enkel zitpunt of in groepsschikking worden ingezet. De gezuurde afwerking legt de textuur van de natuursteen granulaten bloot en geeft het element een organisch karakter dat aansluit bij park- en groenomgevingen.
Request specification text
Working on a specification for a project with monolithic street furniture? Servibo provides ready-to-use specification texts for the Sócrates collection.
Request specification text for this modelSustainability and lifespan
Escofet 1886 SA uses high-quality raw materials. Polished or acid-washed concrete with natural stone aggregates ages gracefully without coatings. Five-year warranty on all concrete elements. AISI 316 stainless steel for Cenicero inserts.
More about the Sócrates collection
Projects
Frequently asked questions
The Cubo is a cubic module of 60 × 60 × 45 cm with no front or back. As a standalone, it marks resting places, entrances and junctions. Its monumental form suits locations where two pedestrian flows converge — without blocking circulation.
Polished concrete reveals the stone aggregate through a reflective surface that patinates over time. Acid-washed concrete retains its matte, granular texture gracefully. Both finishes are waterproofed. Escofet 1886 provides a five-year warranty on all concrete elements.
The Sócrates Cubo requires no periodic maintenance. Cleaning with a pH-neutral, non-abrasive product is sufficient. Servibo provides advice on request for specific soiling situations.