When designing the interior spaces of the historic Greencoat House for Derwent London, we drew on original Victorian patterns and motifs from the existing building to add richness to the spaces. In particular, we referenced some ornate metal latticework in the original cast iron staircase risers, and reinterpreted the design to create a series of casings within the building, as well as in in the internal signage. In the main reception area we continued this theme to create a pair of bespoke folded metal benches for use by building tenants and visitors.

Starting with a complete lattice pattern, we stress-tested weight tolerances on the bench to map the areas which absorb the greatest structural stress, and increased the solidity at these points. This allowed for the thinnest possible metal plate to be used in production, ensuring that the balance between the rough industrial material was countered by the delicate design and pattern.

The reception bench was designed as a piece of furniture constructed from a flat perforated metal plane, which is then folded into a 2330mm long, low seat. Formed from an 8mm steel plate with a Polyester Powder Coated finish in Du Point Fine Tex Black, the bench was then laser cut to reveal the pattern across all sides.

The 2330mm length responds to the distance between two existing columns in the Greencoat House reception area. We worked with fabricators Excel Architectural Engineering to develop the design, which was produced as a pair to sit in the front and rear parts of the reception area. The result is a robust and durable product that reflects the elegance and history of its surroundings.