The X Bench by The New Raw is a two-person rocking bench designed around opposing seating positions, where each user faces away from the other while sharing a single curved base. The structure is formed from intersecting volumes that create an X-shaped body, with the rocking motion built directly into the geometry rather than added as a separate mechanism. This configuration allows both users to move in sync, with the curved underside enabling a continuous, shared rhythm.
The bench is produced using robotic 3D printing with recycled polypropylene sourced locally in Rotterdam, using 55 kilograms of plastic waste per unit. The process builds the form layer by layer without adhesives or mixed materials, allowing the entire piece to be fully recyclable at the end of its life. The surface retains visible print layers, creating a textured finish that emphasizes the fabrication method.
Opposing Rocking Benches
The X Bench by the New Raw Uses Mirrored Seating and Shared Motion
Trend Themes
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Mirrored Seating Dynamics — Paired seating that orients users away from one another while synchronizing movement can redefine social interaction models in shared public environments.
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Integrated Motion Geometry — Furniture with motion built into its structural form instead of added mechanisms introduces new possibilities for durable, low-maintenance kinetic products.
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Robotic Recycled Fabrication — Large-scale robotic 3D printing using locally sourced recycled polymers enables circular-production workflows with visible fabrication aesthetics.
Industry Implications
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Public Furniture — Urban seating that combines shared motion and privacy-oriented layouts could change how cities design communal rest and transit spaces.
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Sustainable Architecture — Buildings that integrate recyclable, robotically fabricated furnishings present opportunities for full-life-cycle material planning within projects.
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Additive Manufacturing and Recycling — End-to-end 3D printing processes using single-material inputs may disrupt supply chains by simplifying disassembly and improving material recovery rates.