Forrest Bench

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The Forrest bench is a monolith which bases its elegance to the minimal shape and to its projecting structure covered with porcelain stoneware that embellishes the surfaces. Thanks to these elements, it's possible to perfectly emulate any stone, wooden or metal material while maintaining the technical advantages (durability, lightness, resistance, etc.) that such materials usually do not provide. The structure is completed by the lightened corten support made almost evanescent by plasma cutted pattern.

Dimensions & Packaging

2400 mm x 800 mm x 400 mm

Tags

bench, gres, corten, led, laser cutting, waterjet, marble, luxury, seat

Production Technology

Plasma cutting for Corten, waterjet cutting for Gres

Design Challenge

The main challenge was to provide lightness to a heavy-looking monolith, by replacing marble with other materials, like the mdf for the support and the porcelain stoneware for coating. These materials, when appropriately cut, would keep the texture continuity and allow to create a storage space. The secondary challenge was to give emphasis to the seat with a corten made support, which the aesthetic and structural features would make the bench complete.

Project Duration

The project started and ended in September 2019 in Taranto. It obtained the first prize in the "Design With Gres" contest organized by SpazioBianko with Arch. Bernardo D'Ippolito, CEO of KinoWorkshop srl, as jury president and was prototyped to be exhibited at the award ceremony during the Gres & Dress event

Operation Flow

The bearing structure of Forrest consists of a mdf box which could be accessed through a door on the side for storing functions like mats, books, etc. The corten support element has a pure static and decorative function. The associated texture with corten and the specific stoneware crafting and finishing, allow for a better bench definition and adaptation to any stylistic and environmental context. The strip led below has a soft light touch function both for indoor and outdoor settings.

Research

Market research analysis showed that the bench has always perceived as a poor and vaguely crude looks object. It is often made by low quality and easy to find materials. These conditions, reduce elegance and value of a useful object that could enrich an urban landscape, a park, or a museum or residential space. Forrest is the answer to the current need of living in a refined design setting while respecting the sustainable consumption of natural raw materials.

Inspiration

Thinking of a bench, the first picture that comes to mind is probably the “Forrest Gump” movie. The main character, sitting on a bench, deeply describes his life to the different people who exchange seats, while they wait for their buses passing. Bench is a meeting place, it’s a place of exchange, expectation, conversation, meditation and confidence; is not only a place for rest, is a means that brings travellers together, no matter if they know each other.

Image Credits

#1 Designer Giuliano Ricciardi, Forrest 01, 2019
#2 Designer Giuliano Ricciardi, Forrest 02, 2019
#3 Designer Giuliano Ricciardi, Forrest 03, 2019
#4 Designer Giuliano Ricciardi, Forrest 04, 2019
#5 Designer Giuliano Ricciardi, Forrest 05, 2019

Colors of Forrest Bench