Dezeen Magazine

Jeonghwa Seo experiments with form for Structure For Use benches

South Korean designer Jeonghwa Seo has created a collection of benches that explore the structure and shapes of seating, with the aim of finding an uncommon form.

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

Jeonghwa Seo's Structure For Use collection is a series of benches with elongated tubular legs made from cast aluminium or brass.

These are paired with solid rosewood or basalt tops in various configurations, including benches that partially stack and seats with side tables that sit on top of them.

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

"I wanted to look into the basics of design such as materiality, form and shape," said Seo. "I tried to explore the structural aesthetics in this series, in order to find the balance and proper durability of furniture."

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

The Rosewood on Brass Bench is made with a bent and welded brass sheet topped with solid rosewood.

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

The Aluminium and Basalt Bench is made with cast aluminium that is sandpapered by hand, and is available with and without a side table, a high seat and a low seat.

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

The additions stack onto the bench, often with one leg resting on its surface and the other on the floor.

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

"I tried to find the uncommon structure, shape and function of the furniture," said the designer. "I wanted people to discover the way to use it. Also each seat part has different tactility."

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

Seo also made cast aluminium and basalt shelves, available in different configurations.

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

The project is a development of his Material Container Series, an experiment into materiality that resulted in a collection of stools and tables using 12 different materials.

These included two types of stone, five types of wood and three types of metal, as well as woven rush and acrylic, in 15 different combinations.

Structure for Use by Jeonghwa Seo

Jeonghwa Seo studied Fine Art, Metal Art and Design at Hongik University in Seoul and completed a Masters in Contextual Design at Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 2010.