Topography 1: A Sculptural Masterpiece by Mikyoung Kim

Seating Sculpture Reflects Florida's Cultural and Geological Landscape

Mikyoung Kim, the design principal of Mikyoung Kim Design, drew inspiration from the local geology of the Florida peninsula to create this unique seating sculpture. The bench is primarily sculpted from limestone, a nod to the region's geological features, with a color palette of cream, gold, and grey, interspersed with slivers of anodized aluminum. The flowing form of the bench, coupled with its color scheme, evokes images of Florida's sandy beaches and waves. The striations in the laminated stone slabs represent the diverse cultures that have influenced the region.

What sets Topography 1 apart from other designs is its dual functionality as a seating area and a rain garden. The sculptural seating piece, made of laminated natural stone slabs, acts to retain a rain garden that manages stormwater on-site. The stone slabs start from the plaza paving and sweep upward to form the bench. Visitors can interact with the sculpture by finding different ways to sit, stand, lie, and climb on it.

The realization of this design involved the use of various materials, including laminated stone, limestone, resin, anodized aluminum, and concrete paving with shells. The dimensions of the sculpture are Width 15544.8mm x Depth 3352.8mm x Height 763mm, making it a sizable and noticeable feature in the Alexander Art Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, where it is located.

The design process was not without its challenges. Mikyoung Kim and her team had to figure out how to best utilize innovative technology to carve the bench out of laminated stone. They also had to find the right materials and make multiple mockups to study how the materials could be laminated. Despite these challenges, the team was able to create a fully integrated experience from paving to bench.

Topography 1 has been recognized for its exceptional design and innovation, winning the Platinum A' Street and City Furniture Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes world-class, highly innovative designs that showcase unmatched professionalism, contribute to societal wellbeing, and advance the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology.