Much like the process of extruding different shapes of pasta, the Bello! bench is extruded from low carbon ~90% recycled and 100% recyclable aluminum. Created via a collaboration between Norwegian designer Lars Beller Fjetland and the renewable energy and sustainable aluminum specialist Hydro, the indoor/outdoor bench is lightweight, tactile, and timeless. Named with a portmanteau of its collaborators, Bello! includes zero traces of the aluminum’s former life, as a can or window frame for example, in its durable finished form.
To bring Bello! to life, heated aluminum is passed through a press to shape it, a process known as extrusion. The designer worked with Hydro’s engineers to take advantage of 3D printing to minimize waste. Several prototypes and proofs of concept were created before the final extruded shape was decided upon. Beller Fjetland’s intent when designing the bench was to experiment with the process, which in turn gave Bello! a ridged surface – similar to penne pasta.
“The subtle ridges add so much value – you just have to run your fingers across the surface. These tactile discoveries mean so much to me,” said Beller Fjetland. “With this design I really wanted to emphasize the possibilities of extruded aluminum. It is very much a culmination of everything I appreciate – from the planes, trains, and buses that were designed in the 1930s–1970s, to brutalist architecture and, last but not least, pasta!”
With public transportation hubs in mind, the internal structure allows for additions to Bello!, such as tables, lamps, and chargers. These additions can be easily integrated, and the bench can be joined together in multiples to suit the space, including custom sizes and a spectrum of colors using natural anodizing.
Bello! demonstrates aluminum’s potential as a practical, sustainable material. With up to 80% of a product’s environmental footprint determined during the design phase, Hydro’s collaborations with designers hope to drive innovation in the design industry and encourage the creation of more sustainable products in recyclable aluminum.
“At Hydro, we believe that more sustainable design starts with more sustainable production,” shared Asle Forsbak, Marketing Director, Hydro Extrusions. “Aluminum is looked upon as the metal of the future, offering unparalleled strength, durability, and recyclability. Its properties make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, and our commitment to reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 positions us at the forefront of more sustainable innovation. Collaborating with talented designers like Lars Beller Fjetland is crucial to unlocking the full potential of aluminum as a design material.”
To learn more about the Bello! Bench, visit beller.no.
Photography by Sjur Pollen.