nico yektai: circle bench #1

‘circle bench #1’ by nico yektai

east hampton-based designer nico yektai has developed ‘circle bench #1’, a 20 foot diameter solid sapele wooden arrangement  with over 60 linear feet of seating surfaces. bent using fifteen foot long laminations, the curves are at the core of the design as they rise and fall in a series of gestural movements. by designing a series of clamps that allow to mechanize the bending process, the bench emerged by spontaneously arranging the arc in relationship to the root structure of the giant copper beech tree which the piece would encompass. these requirements pushed the design in new directions challenging the artist to find new ways to achieve balance in the design process.

higher perspective reveals the overall composition

full view from a different angle

sweeping bent lamination rises up in a broad gestural movement

each component is simultaneously separate and part of the cohesive composition, like brush strokes in a painting

child getting comfortable

this element was envisioned as providing seating for sunset and table for cocktails.

close up of a table and two adjacent seating areas, one upright and the other for reclining

glue is spread and the bundle on its way to the bending form

nico yektai tightening the clamps with an impact wrench

freshly bent lamination 15’ long made up of 7 layers of sapele and epoxy glue

installed around a 60” copper beech tree in the hamptons

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.