# Curvaceous Sculptural Benches Aurélie Richard and La Saônoise Design the STRATE Bench By Amy Duong | Published 2025-07-07 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strate-bench References: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJtggbGMUre/)  French designer Aurélie Richard works in collaboration with French beech veneer expert La Saônoise to create the [sculptural STRATE bench](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-bench). It is defined by its curved form which takes layers of [beech plywood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silva-collection) into an artful shape of form and function. It has been developed through processes of co-design workshops between the two efforts. The design brief was to create a demonstration piece that would capture Saônoise’s expertise. The studio landed on the idea of a bench, which is an everyday function and a familiar piece. The bench would be reimagined as “Saônoise component-object." STRATE is [refined yet playful](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balance-bench), showing off its construction with bold curved and exposed layers to highlight its simple intricacy of a repeating rhythmic interplay of forms. Image Credit: Aurélie Richard, La Saônoise ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 45% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sculptural Furniture Design:** Furniture is evolving into art pieces with innovative collaborations between artists and material experts, leading to creations like the STRATE bench that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. - **Collaborative Co-design Processes:** Co-design workshops are fostering innovation by enabling designers and craftsmen to co-create items that exhibit shared expertise, as seen in the development of the STRATE bench. - **Exposed Layer Aesthetics:** Furniture designs featuring exposed layers are gaining popularity, adding a dynamic aesthetic dimension that emphasizes construction and material texture. ### Who This Affects Most - **Furniture Manufacturing:** The furniture manufacturing sector is ripe for disruption with emerging trends in crafting multifunctional and sculptural pieces that emphasize both form and function. - **Sustainable Materials:** Innovations are emerging within sustainable materials industries, as seen with the use of beech plywood in creating designs that are both environmentally conscious and visually compelling. - **Artisanal Craftsmanship:** Artisanal craftsmanship is experiencing a renaissance, with opportunities for collaboration between designers and skilled artisans to create striking yet practical everyday objects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Dual Sculpture Seating Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immaterial-0001.md) - [Sleek Public Seating Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leftover-bench.md) - [Sculptural Seating Carpets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rondin.md) - [Elegantly Airy Outdoor Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arch-bench.md) - [Spiral-Inspired Minimal Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soul-sculpture-bench.md) - [Nature-Inspired Curvaceous Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roula-salamoun.md) - [Industrial Wrapped Plywood Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indoor-bench.md) - [Threshold Bench Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/torii.md) - [Curvacious Oak Seating Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oak-seating.md)