Rik van Veen is a Dutch designer who recently launched the Leopard bench as part of the experimental HDPE collection of stools, chairs, and benches. This eclectic collection was made by connecting large-diameter discarded gas and water pipes that are primarily cut and joined to form a seating stature.
The Leopard bench is made with plastic pipes made from density polyethylene plastic, which has a low melting point and can be connected to create joints. This design is inspired by the early design of the heat-fusing tubular plastic beads which was applied to the furniture by the designer.
As the name suggests, the Leopard bench has a leopard print created using an angle grinder fitted with a carving disc. The yellow surface has been chiseled to give the furniture piece a unique texture while showcasing the black layer underneath.
Van Veen used a hot plate to heat the two ends of the pipes until the plastic softened. Then he pressed the parts to form a strong joint once the material hardened, and a solid piece of furniture emerged. According to the designer, it was quite a task to align the pieces to form a joint. He used jigs and fixtures to help cut the angles.
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Van Veen had been working on this particular design since he was pursuing his studies. He had experimented with this material and style for a decade and had identified the tools to carve the surface of plastic pipes to give them a unique persona.
The Leopard bench is a one-of-a-kind piece that will be exhibited as part of the Pass the Dutch exhibition at the Moya Museum in Oosterhunt, Netherlands, from September 22 to November 17, 2024.
Via: dezeen
