Silver Furniture Design · 2024
Cenear Bench
- A' Design Award 2024 Silver Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Cenire
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 277,743
- Verification code 8569E58B39 · Verify this award
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.
Christine Xiang's Cenear Bench emerges from a rich tradition of Windsor chair craftsmanship while charting distinctly contemporary territory through its innovative reinterpretation of familiar vernacular forms. The work demonstrates remarkable technical achievement in its seamless integration of three separate backrest elements into a single flowing composition, each curved rail and vertical spindle maintaining the structural logic of traditional steam-bent chair construction while participating in a larger organic whole that suggests landscape contours or the gentle undulation of rolling terrain. The chromatic restraint evident in the natural wood finish speaks to a philosophy of material honesty that allows the inherent warmth and grain variation of the timber to provide visual interest without applied decoration, while the carefully considered contrast between the wooden frame and the fabric-covered seat cushions introduces a dialogue between rigid and yielding, warm and cool, that enriches the sensory experience of the piece. One observes particular sophistication in the handling of the spindle arrangement, where the vertical elements maintain consistent spacing and proportional relationships across all three backrest sections despite the varying curve radii, suggesting either considerable mathematical precision in the design phase or intuitive mastery developed through extensive making practice. The inclusion of both a pale neutral cushion and a cooler blue-gray companion raises intriguing questions about the bench's intended social function—perhaps suggesting intimate conversation between two occupants, or offering a single user the choice between different atmospheric moods within a single seating experience. What narratives of gathering, rest, or contemplation might unfold within the gentle embrace of these curved wooden arms?
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Image Credits
- All Image: Photographer Yugong Luo, 2018.
All Image: Art Direct Christine Xiang, 2018. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Christine Xiang, 2018.