# Mutated Wood Benches Kebony Cantilevered Bench Utilizes Compound Turning Soft Wood to Hard Wood By Christina Butty | Published 2009-10-16 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cantilevered-bench References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2009/10/16/cantilevered-bench-by-stokkeaustad/) & [stokkeaustad](http://www.stokkeaustad.com/) This Cantelever bench may seem like a fairly ordinary object, but its construction aspects give it a whole new meaning. The wood from this bench was actually treated with a compound created by Norwegian company Kebony. They have developed and patended a process which transforms the qualities of typical [soft woods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collective-collection) into those of hardwood by using waste products form the sugar industry. Not only does the [Cantilever bench](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garden-bench) have this fierce quality, designers StokkeAustad made the bench to be [reconfigurable](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balance-bench). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Mutated Wood:** Opportunity for utilizing innovative wood treatment processes to transform soft woods into hardwoods, expanding the range of applications for wood products. - **Compound Turning Soft Wood to Hard Wood:** Potential for developing eco-friendly compounds that can effectively convert the qualities of soft woods into those of hardwoods, making them more versatile and durable. - **Reconfigurable Bench Design:** Opportunity to create furniture that can be easily reconfigured to meet changing needs and preferences, offering flexibility and adaptability for users. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Wood Treatment:** Disruptive potential for companies specializing in developing innovative wood treatment processes to enhance the durability and versatility of wood products. - **Sugar Industry Waste Management:** Opportunity for companies to explore creative ways of repurposing waste products from the sugar industry in order to develop eco-friendly compounds and contribute to a circular economy. - **Furniture Design:** Potential for designers and manufacturers to create reconfigurable furniture pieces that cater to the growing demand for flexible and adaptable living spaces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sculptural Gravity Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-bench.md) - [Tree-Intertwined Metal Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tenir-bench.md) - [Threshold Bench Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/torii.md) - [Reimagined Structural Timber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superwood.md) - [Heirloom Furniture Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/columns.md) - [Industrial Wrapped Plywood Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indoor-bench.md) - [Chic Recycled Aluminum Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bello-bench.md) - [Upcycled Teak Minimal Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parallel.md) - [Sleek Public Seating Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leftover-bench.md)