This Bench is a Bold Fusion of Repurposed Plastic Pipes and Animal-Inspired Design | Leopard Bench

FDT Bureau

Dutch designer Rik van Veen has crafted a unique bench from repurposed plastic pipes, creating a striking piece with a texture reminiscent of leopard fur. Named the Leopard bench, this latest design is part of an experimental series that Van Veen began a decade ago during his studies at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

Van Veen’s work predominantly involves using discarded gas and water pipes sourced from local construction sites. His initial explorations focused on the technique of heat-fusing tubular plastic beads, which he then adapted to a larger scale for furniture creation. To join the pipe segments, he employs a hot plate to soften the plastic at the ends, which are then pressed together to form durable bonds once cooled.

Despite his use of jigs and custom machinery, Van Veen admits that aligning the pieces remains a challenging aspect of the process. The pipes, designed for underground use, often arrive with scratches that detract from their appearance in indoor furniture. To overcome this, Van Veen has experimented with power tools to carve into the surface of the pipes, creating the distinctive fur-like pattern of the Leopard bench. This pattern is achieved by using an angle grinder fitted with a carving disc, which exposes a contrasting black layer beneath the yellow surface.

Van Veen views the Leopard bench as a culmination of his ongoing experiments with plastic pipes, reflecting years of innovation and technique development. He emphasizes the sustainable nature of his work, noting that the plastic, primarily high-density polyethylene, can be repeatedly processed and reshaped without becoming waste.

The Leopard bench is part of Van Veen’s HDPE collection, launched in 2021, which features various furniture pieces, including stools, chairs and benches. Each piece is meticulously crafted by fusing large-diameter pipes, showcasing Van Veen’s commitment to creating functional, aesthetically compelling furniture from recycled materials.

Image credit: Rik van Veen