Furniture design relies on many of the same compositional and technical principles as does the design of entire buildings. The form has to be pleasing, the configuration has to support function and construction has to resist all the imposed loads.
Inspired by the Island of Pohnpei
The project was located in a new commercial building located in the North Pacific nation of Micronesia… on the placid island of Pohnpei. The largest in the country, Pohnpei is surrounded by a barrier reef that is continuously swept by gentle swells.
A Bench Born from the Ocean
When asked to create an elegant but welcoming lobby we immediately drew a reference to the surrounding ocean. The ‘Wave” bench design appeared almost spontaneously in our sketch pads and computer screens as the perfect emblem of island life.
Organic Form, Warm Materials, and Practical Use
The obvious visual reference to wave action is easily justified. But the large scale of the piece, the fluid form, the warm colors and textures of the wood construction helped create a centerpiece for the lobby that is both fun and functional.
Built from Reclaimed Wood, Designed with Care
Although the bench is large, we were able to assemble the entire composition from small pieces of wood left over from other projects. This allowed us to surprise our client with a lower price of construction while sharing the benefit of participating in an exercise of resilient construction.
A Welcoming Symbol and Sculptural Divider
Our Wave bench serves as a welcoming symbol of rest, as an effective a room divider and as a large-scale sculptural feature. This composition has proven to be exceptionally popular with both owner and visitors. Fusing discipline and poetry can often lead to a surprising solution.
