ARTWORKS

 

 

 

Michal Fuhrer and Nilly Fuhrer Rabinovitch, 2011.

 

Wood and metal in mixed technology, dimensions: 1.35 m wide, 1.65 m high, 4.90 m long.

The bench was designed for the lobby of the Neopharm building. The building is used as the company group headquarters and some of the offices are located there as well.

The goal of the project was to create a meeting point which is both functional and aesthetic.  The bench was designed to express the firm’s values and vision as it is the first meeting point of the employees and visitors when entering the lobby of the building.  The bench is used as an object for seating and maintains a dialog between the industrial materials and its poetic form. The principles of design connect and sustain the architectural principles of the structure from a human perspective with an emphasis on innovation and creativity.  

The materials as well as the bending and assembly technology present a challenge in creating an object with sculptural, as well as constructive, values. The nature of the finished metal which is slightly rusty gives an industrial look compared to the shape of the romantic and warm ribbon. The movement of the ribbon creates the structure and the seating and invites one to sit down and wait in the space of the lobby.  The shape reinforces the perception of the company as being in constant action, taking on challenges and innovations while keeping close contact and cooperation among the employees, partners and customers.   

The large dimensions of the bench allow a variety of shapes for sitting and leaning. The seemingly random shape of the ribbon creates the seat, the back rest and arm or hand rest. Due to its length, group as well as intimate seating areas are possible, so that one person will not feel alone while seated. The airiness keeps the connection between the inside and outside view in the rest of the structure, without overburdening the space of the lobby.