Muscle bench, Alexandre Mornonnoz

Spotted last month in Paris at The Design Observer exposition at the Cité des Sciences et de l’industrie, this sensual bench by French designer Alexandre Moronnoz caught my attention at just the right moment. I’d been walking for hours and it lured me to lie down for a quick rest. Although the bench appears very rigid, the curves, designed like the fibrous tendons of a muscle, offer tremendous comfort. I could have fallen asleep had it not been for the large group of teenage students circling the exhibition. It’s constructed of eco-friendly recycled laser-cut, bent, and soldered steel, electroplated zinc, and all non-toxic finishes containing no solvents, lead or TGIC.

Moronnnoz has designed a range of sensuous urban outdoor furniture worth noting:

The sumptuous “Y” bench, a concept prototype at the moment, is created from a series of vertical wooden slats linked together by adjustable fixings offering a wide range of configuration options. The “retified” (thermally treated) wood renders the bench suitable for use outdoors.

As the designer describes his Interferences bench, above, “At once urban and organic, reflective of its environment–a public space marked by constant movement–this park bench balances order with chaos in a spirit conducive to friendly encounters.”

I’m always looking for that balance, aren’t you? Laser-cut, bent, and soldered steel, electroplated zinc, epoxy paint.

Both the Muscle bench and the Interferences bench are available in Europe from Outdoorz Gallery. I’m still trying to find out if they are available in the US.