Serenity Bench. Concrete, jatoba wood. Development stage: full scale prototype.

Both the physical and visual weight of the Serenity Bench are meant to invoke a sense of being grounded, inviting the user to sit down and slow down. Pause for a moment, take a deep breath and allow yourself to feel calm and relaxed. Meditate if you want to or just take in your surroundings and give yourself a break, something we could all use.

Concrete and wood were chosen as the materials for the bench for their durability, weight and natural and industrial characteristics. Jatoba wood is an exotic hardwood that weathers well making the bench suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It was important that the seat be made from solid wood to add a natural feel to the design in order to soften/balance the industrial aesthetic of the large concrete feet. One of the primary design objectives was that the bench look and feel heavy, as if it was rooted to its spot, connected to the ground where it stands. Concrete was a logical material choice to achieve this objective along with its ability to be molded into the desired shape of the feet.

Since the bench has a clearly defined industrial aesthetic it was necessary to simplify the shape and line elements to bring balance to the design. It is essentially two trapezoids intersected by a line which make up the composition. This simplicity allows the materials to shine without becoming overbearing. The materials balance each other while the shapes balance the aesthetic, all working together in harmony to create a holistic design and a moment of serenity.