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Warm walnut tonalities command immediate attention in Christine Xiang's Cenear Bench, where three organically undulating backrests rise like gentle hills across a continuous serpentine seat form…
Christine Xiang's Cenear Bench presents an elongated horizontal composition dominated by warm walnut timber tones ranging from rich amber to medium chestnut brown, establishing a fundamentally…
Christine Xiang's Cenear Bench demonstrates a sculptural approach to furniture design where organic compound curves intersect with architectural rigor, creating a composition that rewards sustained…
Warm walnut timber establishes the material foundation of this seating composition, where graduated horizontal slats define a curved cushioned form positioned against a refined vertical spindle back…
A sculptural furniture composition rendered in richly grained hardwood presents an intimate overhead vantage revealing the organic sweep of bentwood construction where natural material properties…

Silver Furniture · 2024

Cenear Bench

by Christine Xiang

  • Silver A' Design Award 2024 in Furniture
  • CLIENT: Cenire
  • Estimated Number of Design Views: 278,028
  • Verification code 8569E58B39 · Verify this award
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About Cenear Bench

The Cenear Bench draws inspiration from the graceful curves and rich heritage of tea gardens, seamlessly merging contemporary Chinese furniture elements with an homage to historical culture. Crafted to encourage open communication, it boasts a soft cushion seat affixed to a wooden frame, accompanied by two differently colored shaped cushions for adaptable comfort. The bench caters to the modern user's penchant for personalized seating configurations, featuring curved sections and supportive backrests that encourage relaxed and engaging conversations.

About the Silver A' Design Award

Cenear Bench is a Silver A' Design Award winner, an extraordinarily prestigious recognition granted to top-of-the-line, gorgeous, and impressive designs. Silver winners are tremendously brilliant and exceedingly creative works that illustrate the outstanding expertise, talent, and acuity of their designers. Cenear Bench is expected to be a wonderful, showpiece work that is remarkably professional and profoundly innovative. This Silver A' Design Award-winning design is a highly notable, admired invention that benefits and advances the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. Cenear Bench is a vastly envied creation that evokes desires, introduces positive feelings, and sparks amazement and wonderment.

Press Kit

Unique Properties
The Cenear Bench has been designed to encourage conversation among users. Its defining feature is the implementation of two differently shaped cushions attached to the wooden frame, providing options for individualized seating preferences. This interactive design adds functionality and playfulness to the bench, distinguishing it from other seating options. Moreover, this bench is ideal for both indoor and outdoor settings, making it versatile across various environments.
Dimensions & Packaging
203cm Width x 86cm Depth x 84cm Height
Tags
Cenear, Bench, Furniture, Wood, Indoor Furniture, Seating, Design Concept, Outdoor Furniture
Production Technology
The final prototype was made of black walnut. In addition to using a CNC machine to shape the curvature, the wood frame was further hand-sanded for a smooth texture. The upholstery utilized foam cushions sewn with Microsuede fabric, providing a nice contrast.
Design Challenge
In crafting the Cenear Bench, designers faced the challenge of harmonizing comfort with cushions of various shapes. They undertook surveys and interviews with users to discern their requirements, leading to the incorporation of two differently colored shaped cushions affixed to the black walnut wood frame. The bench's elegant, contemporary design appeals to a wide range of users, providing stability, harmony, and an interactive feature that can enhance the comfort of all users.
Research
After conducting a series of surveys, in-depth interviews, and design research, alongside 1-to-1 scale mockups, it became evident that contemporary users have distinct preferences for seating arrangements tailored to different activities. In response, the Cenear Bench was developed to facilitate casual conversation while offering a distinctive and inviting user experience. With its curved seating sections and supportive backrest, it encourages users to engage comfortably in conversation. This research-driven approach sets the Cenear Bench apart from others.
Inspiration
The tea garden, with its curves and evocative history, served as the initial inspiration for the Cenear Bench. The goal was to blend modern Chinese furniture concepts with a tribute to historical Chinese culture. This inspired the incorporation of ancient tea garden curvature into the design of the back support. This created a unique, modern bench that also evokes the past.
Project Duration
The project began in September 2018 in Pasadena, California, and was exhibited at ICFF in May 2019. The Cenear Bench, in its current form, has undergone several design changes since 2018 and was finalized in 2023.
Operation Flow
The Cenear Bench is designed to create a welcoming space for two people to openly communicate. The soft cushion seat is attached to the wooden bench. Two differently colored shaped cushions allow users to sit in various postures and still feel comfortable. This innovative sectional seating transforms the bench into a relaxed and open conversation seating experience. The interaction between the user and the bench creates a more interactive and warm atmosphere with the curvature of the seating.
Patents
Copyrights belong to Christine Xiang, 2018.
Image Credits
All Image: Photographer Yugong Luo, 2018.
All Image: Art Direct Christine Xiang, 2018.

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