abie abdillah: pretzel bench

‘pretzel bench’ by abie abdillah

seen at the IFFS/AFS singapore furniture fair 2011: the ‘pretzel bench’ by indonesian designer abie abdillah is a modular bench that utilizes long, bent poles of rattan for its frame. strong and solid, the material is also very elastic, ideal for comfortable seating. the shape of a ‘pretzel’ (a bavarian salty bread) was borrowed for the structural form.

rattan, a highly sustainable material with over 600 different species in existence, is native to south east asia. a rattan palm can quickly grow up to more than 100 meters in height. indonesia provides roughly 70% of the world’s rattan supply. although aesthetically similar to bamboo, rattan is much more solid and flexible.

‘pretzel bench’

side view

close-up

detail

the pretzel is very lightweight and can therefore easily be moved.

abie abdillah at the IFFS/AFS fair 2011

— about international furniture fair singapore/ASEAN furniture show (IFFS/AFS)

the international furniture fair singapore, held in conjunction with the ASEAN furniture show (IFFS/AFS) began in 1981 and has since grown to be regarded by industry experts as asia’s most prestigious furniture trade show. IFFS/AFS provides an effective marketing platform for regional companies to venture into global markets. as a testimony to the quality of the show, IFFS/AFS is the first asian-based international furniture fair to be accepted as a member of the elite union des foires internationales, a paris-based international authority on trade fairs. in addition, it is the only furniture trade event in singapore to be awarded the ‘approved international fair’ status by the singapore tourism board. IFFS/AFS is set to become even more comprehensive for the furniture players, with the addition of the inaugural deco asia and hospitality asia to expand the scope of the show.