IKD presents outside-in up-cycled bench at secret shelters exhibition
all images courtesy of IKD

 

 

 

‘outside-in’ is one of nine winning proposals for the ongoing secret shelters exhibition hosted at the heritage museum and gardens in sandwich, massachusetts. the interactive furniture element was created by cambridge-based firm IKD. the concept revolves around the inversion of a typical tree bench, which faces users outwards, with their backs towards the tree. instead, ‘outside-in’ focuses attention on the green giant itself, one of heritage’s cherished tulip trees, creating an intimate space between the user and the natural element.

IKD outside-in bench secret shelters heritage museums garden MA designboom
the bench sits around one of heritage’s tulip trees 

 

 

 

the piece’s name also reflects its construction. one of the most recognizable characteristics of wood, the bark, remains visible but is flipped to face inwards. this configuration allows for the utilization of waste-lumber — which composes approximately 38% of every processed log. rather than be passed onto the create low-quality secondary products, ‘outside-in’ maximizes the resource, up-cycling it into a viable product. the secret shelters show is ongoing currently until october 15, 2015 at heritage museums and gardens in sandwich, MA. 

IKD presents outside-in up-cycled bench at secret shelters exhibition
children at ‘outside-in’ 

IKD outside-in bench secret shelters heritage museums garden MA designboom
concept 

IKD presents outside-in up-cycled bench at secret shelters exhibition
seating area

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construction concept

IKD outside-in bench secret shelters heritage museums garden MA designboom
up-cycling waste 

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design diagram  

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fabrication 

IKD outside-in bench secret shelters heritage museums garden MA designboom
surrounding site 

IKD presents outside-in up-cycled bench at secret shelters exhibition
a group enjoying ‘outside-in’ 

 

 

project info:

 

lead: yugon kim
design team: yuki kawae, steven hien, tomomi itakura
project name: outside-in
location: sandwich, massachusetts, USA
exhibition: secret shelters (until october 15, 2015) 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: nick brink | designboom