Manifold Bench: A Fusion of Art, Architecture, and Nature

Designer Dening He's Award-Winning Public Seating Design Inspired by Pacific Northwest Biodiversity

Dening He, an interior design student, embarked on the Manifold Bench project in April 2018 in Portland, Oregon, USA. The project, which concluded in August 2018, was driven by a desire to create a bench that required no artificial material, not even glue or nails, but only wood. The inspiration came from observing the Pacific Northwest's forests and plants living in harmony, with decaying trees returning nutrients back to the soil. This observation sparked the idea of an eco-friendly, fast-production bench that could be assembled like a toy.

The Manifold Bench is constructed with oak, a strong Pacific American Northwest wood that can withstand heavy use in a public space. The bench's unique properties lie in its curved, flat pieces that interlock to form a smooth and sleek modular design. This design can be quickly and efficiently fabricated. During the rainy season, the bench's hollow design allows air to pass through, taking away moisture, while the curved surface ensures that rain cannot stay on the surface.

The bench's realization was achieved through parametric drawing on Autocad and modification in Fusion360 as the 3D digital model. An industrial CNC machine cut the 2cm thick wood panel, ensuring precision and consistency. The chosen wood was high-density White Oak, known for its durability and resistance to weather conditions.

The bench's design was not without challenges. Dening He had to find the most comfortable sitting angle and figure out how to complete the project without glue and nails. The goal was to integrate ergonomics into the chair and keep the material simple for easier maintenance. The result is a bench that not only looks modern and stylish but also offers a comfortable seating experience.

The Manifold Bench is currently exhibited in Portland downtown world trade center by Design Museum. It stands as a testament to Dening He's innovative approach to design, combining aesthetics, practicality, and environmental consciousness. The bench's unique design and the philosophy behind it have earned it the Silver A' Furniture Design Award, a prestigious accolade that recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs.