Designing a 'Faith' bench based on the cultural heritage of Perak Malaysia through fusion timber challenge / Pandu Purwandaru ... [et al.]

Meeting the challenge of a fusion timber competition that emphasizes the unification of design and sustainability, this project presents an innovative integration of meranti wood, membrane, iron, and concrete in the design of outdoor bench furniture. Using an in-depth research approach, we evaluated various bench sizes to determine the optimal height and depth for comfort and designed variations that can accommodate two to four people. The proposed design concept, Neo Heritage, combines contemporary style with cultural touches to create products that are functional, flexible, and cultural. Meranti wood was chosen as the main element for its strength and beauty of grain, giving the design a natural character and warmth. Membrane, as an innovative material, serves to add functional and aesthetic elements, playing a protective role as well as a visual element that enhances the uniqueness of the design. Iron, with its high structural strength and durability, provides stability and a modern touch that harmonizes with the wood, while concrete is used as the base of the bench to unify the overall design. Inspiration was taken from Wau Seri Bulan, a cultural heritage from Perak, which became the reference form in this project. The design combines the idea of novelty with the implementation of sustainability through the selection of local materials that are easily available. The project aims to prove that sustainability and aesthetics can be harmonized by carefully selecting materials and making the design more sustainable.