Driven by sustainability and inspired by the UAE, the Kaseeriya bench embodies the essence of simplicity and elegance and signifies unity, strength and togetherness. Ebrahim Assur uses the fractal shape as part of his exploration of the exoskeleton structure of palm trees found across the UAE. Combining his studies of the natural environment together with scientific research and a strong design narrative, the Kaseeriya bench was born.

A fractal is a never-ending pattern, each part of which possesses the same statistical character as the whole. Prevalent in nature where similar patterns recur at progressively smaller scales, they can be found in everything from rock formations of mountain and the bark of palm trees. Hyper-efficient in their construction, on a microscopic level, fractals enable organic forms to maximize their exposure to the elements while efficiently carrying nutrients across cellular structures. The use of fractal in the design also references the arches prevalent in the entrances and interiors of mosques. The UAE’s rich Islamic heritage influenced the bench design echoing Ebrahim’s own spiritual beliefs and his personal life journey.

Collectively, these factors allowed Ebrahim to accentuate the beauty of nature and find a sustainable way to inform his final design, which seats four people. Palm-made biodegradable pallets and MBM recycled cork makes up 80 per cent of the bench’s exterior façade and were specifically chosen to elevate the sustainable aspect of the design and position it firmly within the MENA region. Through his experimentation of found and recycled material, Ebrahim Assur’s Kaseeriya bench captures the essence of raw tranquillity.