In a world where urban landscapes often echo monotony and seriousness, a burst of whimsy disrupts the ordinary—the Anamorphic Bench, a creative endeavour by Paris-based design studio, Atelier YokYok urges us to reconsider the interplay of architecture, art and the individuals inhabiting these spaces. Picture a bustling city square adorned with an intriguing bench, seemingly out of place, inviting curiosity through the magic of optical illusions. The team, composed of architects turned creatives, offer more than mere urban furniture; they have fashioned an interactive playground where geometry, sustainable design and a touch of humour effortlessly converges in an approachable yet captivating manner.

The journey began with a simple wish, one that does not involve stars or genies but a desire to infuse urban spaces with joy. With an innate flair for creativity and boundless imagination, the architects took on the challenge of turning anamorphosis and geometry into a spectacle that delights. In a cityscape where urban design often lacks a sense of playfulness, this French design practice sought to inject a good dose of creativity and wonder into everyday spaces.

While architects and designers often find comfort in the structured elegance of geometry, designers at YokYok decided to add a playful twist to the mix. “We thought it would be interesting to play with furniture and perspective so that people’s bodies interact with the anamorphosis principle,” says Samson Lacoste and Luc Pinsard, the dynamic duo at YokYok on infusing geometry with a delightful spin that goes beyond the ordinary.

Drawing inspiration from the intriguing perspectives and optical illusions of Jane clips on TikTok, along with charming scenes of tourists capturing playful moments at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the designers adeptly capture the core of everyday amusement in their artistic projects. Fuelled by a shared admiration for MC Escher’s imaginative creations since their childhood, this dynamic duo embarked on a mission to not only challenge preconceptions but also to extend an invitation for public engagement. Their ambitious project aimed to give life to a 3D technology object that not only embraced the allure of anamorphosis but also integrated into urban spaces as functional and engaging furniture.

The Anamorphic Bench stands as a testament to the design practice’s ongoing exploration of three-dimensional anamorphosis. Operating at the intersection of art, design and architecture, their approach aims to create works based on three principles: playing with perspective, staging the human body and providing original, playful and educational furniture. The bench itself is the stretch of a simple chair design, and when viewed from the right perspective, the initially dislocated bench reveals its original form and a chair emerges. The geometry changes and flattens, the legs hide themselves behind each other, and the magic operates. Individuals sitting at different levels on the bench appear at varying sizes, creating a dynamic and visually engaging experience. This phenomenon becomes more apparent in photography or by simply closing one eye.

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For its inaugural creation, the bench received the support and trust of the city of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, in France. In an eco-friendly and local approach, YokYok aimed to craft a Malicorne concrete for the seating, composed of low-carbon cement (without clinker), 100 per cent natural pigments to evoke the clay, and shards of Malicorne’s earthenware instead of gravel, enriching the recipe with a historical dimension. To realise this, 35kg of plates, including broken plates, cooking defects and rejects which were donated by the Art Faience Workshop of Malicorne, were necessary. All the formwork and concrete pouring took place in Malicorne-sur-Sarthe at the city workshops in September 2023, with the support and expertise from Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies for the implementation of its low-carbon cement.

"The Anamorphic Bench plays with perspective and the human body. It brings original, playful and pedagogical urban furniture to a public space. Its complex geometry is the stretch of a simple chair,” explains the designers. This engagement with perspective and the human body transforms the bench into a stage for those who use it. The phenomenon is not only visually captivating but also invites playful interactions, as individuals sitting at different heights create an ever-changing scene. The bench becomes a focal point in the urban space. Its whimsical design encourages people to pause, observe, and engage, bringing an element of surprise and a sensory experience.

Founded in 2015 by architects Samson Lacoste and Luc Pinsard, Atelier YokYok stands as an artistic design studio with a fearless, flexible and tireless character. Expanding its creative ensemble to include Laure Qaremy, a teacher and Pauline Lazareff, an engineer-architect, the design practice ventures between art and architecture, exploring the facets of the human body, materials and sensory experiences. Their installations, often playful and interactive, transform spaces into unexpected architectural curiosities, narrating stories and infusing imagination into places for discovery and rendezvous.

At the heart of YokYok’s approach is a commitment to comprehending the context and surroundings, shaping the ethos of this Paris-based design studio. Starting with a deep dive into the location, the designers engage in diversion, storytelling and creating immersive experiences. Amidst the prevalence of typical and practical furniture designs, the bench emerges as a distinct piece of functional art. It breaks free from conventional design boundaries, presenting an engaging encounter that extends beyond mere utility. The bench transforms into a narrative canvas, where the interplay of geometry and perspective fosters a dialogue between the built environment and its inhabitants.

Reflecting on the post-COVID 19 era, the designers believe that the essential role of architecture and space is to evoke emotions and foster social connections. The Anamorphic Bench, with its emphasis on low-tech, the pedagogy of detail, and the impact of reality on our minds, exemplifies this philosophy. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and virtual experiences, their projects invite people to leave technology behind, feel the materials and engage with the audacity of construction.

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