Haywood Mall's main concourse features an expansive timber bench, with natural lighting and shoppers nearby.

Haywood Mall Unveils Massive 29-Foot Parametric Timber Bench by Zorka Furniture

2026-10-19

An Architectural Marvel in Plywood: Haywood Mall Timber Bench

Haywood Mall in Greenville, South Carolina, now hosts a monumental bench known as Stratum, or the “installation,” created by the design and manufacturing studio Zorka Furniture. Spanning nearly 29 feet, this intricate seating installation redefines public space with its stunning, wave-like design.

For those interested in innovative timber designs, discover how Chalmers University challenges traditional building materials with bio-inspired creativity.

Parametric bench STRATUM by Zorka Furniture, showcasing its sweeping curves in the shopping mall. — STRATUM is a monumental parametric bench designed and manufactured by Zorka Furniture

Innovation in Timber Craft

Composed of over 600 CNC-cut components, the seating installation features meticulously designed wooden layers. These pieces, crafted from approximately 100 sheets of plywood, assemble into a dynamic form of rhythmic curves and integrated seating areas. Weighing 5,500 pounds, the bench was cleverly fabricated into modular sections, facilitating its assembly overnight to align with the mall’s operations.

Bench installation situated in the central concourse of Greenville's Haywood Mall. — the installation is located within the central concourse of Haywood Mall in Greenville, South Carolina

Close-up of the bench's CNC-cut layers, revealing intricate wooden geometry. — close-up of STRATUM’s precision CNC-cut wooden layers, highlighting the intricate parametric geometry

Fluid, undulating silhouette of layered wooden bench profiles. — layered wooden profiles create a fluid, undulating geometric silhouette

Interactive Design for the Bench and Public Engagement

The Stratum bench invites interaction with its uniquely sculpted niches and archways, offering visitors both a functional and artistic experience. This captivating piece demonstrates an exciting blend of #Design, #FurnitureDesign, and #Woodworking, emphasizing innovative use of materials and design philosophy, akin to the evolving trend of parametric furniture design.

Design software calculated unique geometry for each timber bench component. — digital design software calculated the unique geometry of each individual component

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Project Overview

Name: Bench Stratum
Design & Fabrication: Zorka Furniture | @zorkafurniture
Location: Haywood Mall, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
Materials: CNC-cut plywood
Dimensions: Approximately 345 inches (8.76 meters) in length

This wood bench design masterpiece reflects the capabilities of modern design processes and invites the public to engage with art in a functional context, embodying trends seen in #DesignTok and #InteriorDesign spaces.

Sources & Links

Source: designboom.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the name of the bench at Haywood Mall?

The bench at Haywood Mall is known as Stratum.

How was the Stratum bench constructed?

The Stratum bench is composed of over 600 CNC-cut components crafted from approximately 100 sheets of plywood.

What is the length of the Stratum bench?

The length of the Stratum bench is approximately 345 inches, or 8.76 meters.

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Haywood Mall Unveils Massive 29-Foot Parametric Timber Bench by Zorka Furniture