traditional potter’s stand becomes a timber bench shaped like a stretching cat

an integrated drawer adds storage to the compact furniture piece.

MACH Beijing edited by christina vergopoulou August 15, 2026 2 min

a potter’s wedging stand transforms into a cat-shaped bench

Designed by MACH Architects Beijing for ceramic artists, this bench reimagines the traditional potter’s wedging stand as a compact piece of furniture that combines ergonomic considerations with familiar woodworking techniques. These stands typically feature a forward-leaning slope to ease clay wedging, a silhouette strikingly similar to a stretching cat. The design releases the cat hidden within this functional form.

traditional potter’s stand becomes a timber bench shaped like a stretching cat - 1 — the bench reinterprets the traditional potter’s wedging stand | all images ©MACH Architects Beijing

Timber structure and playful mechanisms refine the bench’s form

Starting with a conventional bench, the designers at MACH Architects Beijing narrowed the width and calibrated the incline to optimise ergonomic comfort. Crafted from 24mm timber panels, the piece balances ease of mass production with a modern, lightweight aesthetic. Traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery ensures stability, honoring classic woodworking heritage. The ‘belly’ houses a functional drawer, while the rotating head acts as a clever mechanical lock.

traditional potter’s stand becomes a timber bench shaped like a stretching cat - 2 — a forward-leaning profile recalls the posture of a stretching cat

traditional potter’s stand becomes a timber bench shaped like a stretching cat - 3 — MACH Architects Beijing transforms the functional stand into a compact bench

traditional potter’s stand becomes a timber bench shaped like a stretching cat - 4 — timber construction gives the bench a lightweight visual profile

traditional-potter-stand-timber-bench-stretching-cat-mach-architects-beijing-designboom-1800-3 — the curved profile reinforces the bench’s feline character

traditional potter’s stand becomes a timber bench shaped like a stretching cat - 5 — the integrated drawer adds storage to the compact furniture piece

traditional-potter-stand-timber-bench-stretching-cat-mach-architects-beijing-designboom-1800-2 — the head and body form a continuous cat-like silhouette

project info:

name: The Stretching Cat Bench
designer: MACH Architects Beijing

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