Horm Toyo Ito Ripples Bench

Horm Toyo Ito Ripples Bench

Origin: Italy

When you throw a stone into water, the point where it touches the smooth, still surface, radiates with concentric circles, beginning their gentle voyage outwards from the centre. Toyo Ito drew inspiration from this phenomenon and recreated it in 'Ripples', a bench which began life as an artistic installation in the Roppongi Hill district of Tokyo. The seat is created from steel with different coatings, supported by a cement structure. A body of water, suspended on the forest of the city, featuring circles rippling outwards across the entire surface. Thanks to HORM, this urban sculpture gains new life in wood to become a design masterpiece, awarded with the 'Compasso d'Oro' in 2004. 'Ripples' is made of five different layers of wood, each formed from strips of the same essence. Skilfully sculpted into this long, narrow board are the seat impressions, which are finished entirely by hand. The forms acquiesce, thanks to the pliability of this ancient material and HORM's passion for craftsmanship. The sanding workmanship does not go unnoticed. The circles might easily have been drawn by Giotto, and as you run your hand along the surface you are aware of the smooth, continuous ups and downs in the wood. The transition from the walnut surrounding the red mahogany to the warm cherry, delicate oakwood and fine ash is imperceptible to the touch.

Seamlessly blends five different solid woods

Hand finished to produce a polychromatic effect

Material: walnut, mahogany, cherry, oak, ash

Frame in plywood composed of 5 different types of heartwood.

Size: H 40 cm, L 200 cm, W 50 cm.