Seating Platform: For Conversation, Gathering, and Collective Experience
In Laman's view, some urban spaces require seating beyond a linear bench—a space designed not only for pause but for interaction, conversation, and the formation of collective experiences. The Chaft Bench is an architectural response to this need; a product that, with its different scale and double-sided form, transforms sitting into a social act.
Space-Oriented Design: Sitting as Interaction
The Chaft Bench, with its elongated surface and double-sided design, allows simultaneous use from both sides. This feature enables users to sit not only beside each other but also facing one another—a configuration that naturally encourages conversation, longer pauses, and social interactions. For this reason, this bench functions more as an 'urban platform' than as a standalone element.
Authentic Material: Continuity of Wood's Life
The body of the Chaft Bench is made from thick planks of recycled railway sleeper wood—timber that has endured years of harsh climatic conditions and high pressure, now returning to urban space with a renewed identity. The use of railway sleepers, in addition to ensuring durability and long lifespan, brings natural warmth and deep texture to the environment that, in contrast to the rigidity of urban concrete and metal, strengthens the human sense of space.
The wooden planks are connected to each other by metal fasteners—a clear and readable connection that both expresses structural strength and reflects Laman's industrial-minimal language.
Modular and Combinable
Each Chaft Bench unit is considered an independent module with diverse arrangement capabilities. These modules can be placed linearly side by side or stacked in a stepped, multi-level manner. Such flexibility allows the product to adapt to different topographies and various usage scenarios—from cultural spaces and regenerated industrial sites to parks and urban squares.
Industrial Production: Strength at Urban Scale
The Chaft Bench is prefabricated with a fully engineered production process. The use of thick railway sleeper wood alongside durable metal connections has prepared this product for continuous and long-term use in the harshest environmental conditions. High durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and portability make the Chaft Bench a reliable choice for large-scale urban projects.
