Plywood doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. Too often dismissed as a humble, utilitarian material, it’s more associated with underbellies and worktops than standout design. But French designer Aurélie Richard is here to remind us that materiality knows no limits in the hands of creativity. Designed in collaboration with French beech veneer specialists La Saônoise, the STRATE bench is a curvy, sculptural seat that transforms layered beech plywood into a showstopping moment of form and function.
Developed through co-design workshops between Aurélie Richard Studio and La Saônoise, the brief was simple yet ambitious: showcase Saônoise’s expert craftsmanship by creating a demonstration piece that elevates both the material and the final product. The studio chose the everyday bench – a familiar, functional form – and reimagined it as a “Saônoise component-object.” The result is STRATE, a bench that’s both refined and playful, proudly displaying its construction through bold curves, exposed layers, and a rhythmic interplay of repeating forms.
Crafted from certified beech plywood by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and available in DUO and SOLO versions, STRATE turns the spotlight on Saônoise’s precision. Its layered surface, reminiscent of structural marquetry, brings technique and texture to the forefront. Two optional modules – a softly curved backrest and a coat rack with hooks – can be attached to the bench, adding both ergonomic support and everyday functionality without compromising its sculptural appeal.
By centering craftsmanship and collaboration, Aurélie Richard and La Saônoise have created something that feels both grounded and expressive, elevating plywood from backdrop to spotlight. STRATE is a celebration of material and making, proof that even the most everyday materials can become design statements when given space to shine.
To learn more about the STRATE bench by Aurélie Richard Studio and La Saônoise, visit aurelierichard.com and follow at @aureliericharddesigner.
Photography by Laetitia Bouquerel.
