ABOUT

This project was developed as a way to use the Theory of Proxemics in order to create a functional piece of design. It was designed by observing and then applying, within a local context, the theory of Proxemics. It's simple design allows users to choose their preferred proxemic distance, or to allow the bench’s shape to affect their own communication with others using the bench.

The department of Digital Design at the University of Malta has asked to keep the bench as a permanent piece of the faculty, where students and visitors can enjoy it.

The production of the bench was the result of combining modern technology as well as traditional woodworking techniques. The bench was designed digitally and most of the pieces were cut by a CNC machine. The pieces where then cleaned off and attached together, piece by piece, by hand. In the diagram presented, I tried to explain the way the difference proxemic distances affected the seating, allowing for intimate, personal or social distance. These different distances affect the way we communicate with each other, and can be distinguished by the different sensory outputs they are each associated with.