Strata Bench in White Plaster

A balance of geometric form and refined craftsmanship, the Strata bench is a testament to modern design's ability to merge functionality with artistic expression. Crafted from sustainable hempcrete and white polished plaster, this sculptural bench is lighter than concrete while still retaining the visual intensity of a solid stone object.

This bench is part of a larger study of how natural forces act upon objects perceived to be permanent and solid. This piece specifically is about the architecture of tectonic assembly - the way materials meet and how forces travel.

I took my inspiration from Japanese and Scandinavian design elements which incorporate wood and stone in a subtle, balanced way. My process involves asking what the material is naturally inclined to be rather than imposing forms that it can't be. This results in a very particular design language that has to be respected and adhered to otherwise the forms will fail. I make the constraints of the material part of the design beauty.