Altered Heritage Bench by Mısra Ozel is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Sulver in Kultureel Erfgoed en Kultueryndustry Ûntwerp Competition Category.

SulverKultureel Erfgoed· 2026

Altered Heritage Bench

by Mısra Ozel

Client: Glif

A' Design Award yn Sulver Winner in Kultureel Erfgoed Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #175343

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

The Design

About Altered Heritage Bench

This sculptural bench originates from parts of a damaged Italian console dating back to the early 20th century. Rather than restoring the missing sections, the design reinterprets the fragmented form through bold material interventions. Hand-carved beechwood is combined with Rosso Levanto marble and satin stainless steel to create a hybrid composition. The result is a functional seat that retains traces of its historical origin while presenting itself as a contemporary collectible object.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Sulver

Altered Heritage Bench is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver, in bûtengewoan prestisjeuze erkenning foar topûntwerpen dy't prachtich en yndrukwekkend binne. Sulverwinners binne tige briljante en ekstreem kreative wurken dy't de treflike ekspertize, it talint en de skerpsinnigens fan har ûntwerpers yllustrearje. Fan Altered Heritage Bench wurdt ferwachte dat it in prachtich foarbyldwurk is, opmerklik profesjoneel en djip ynnovatyf. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver is in tige opfallende, bewûndere útfining dy't foardiel bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. Altered Heritage Bench is in skepping dêr't breed oerjûn wurdt, dy't winsken wekker makket, positive gefoelens bringt en ferwûnderjen en fernuvering opwekket.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: “Altered Heritage” reinterprets parts of a damaged and incomplete Italian console from the early 20th century (1900–1950s). Instead of restoring it to its original condition, the design embraces its fragmented state and reimagines it into a sculptural bench. Combining hand-carved beechwood with Rosso Levanto marble and satin stainless steel, the piece balances historical integrity with bold material contrasts. The result is a hybrid form that functions as a bench while asserting itself as a collectible, gallery-level design object.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width: 150 cm

Seat Height: 52 cm

Backrest Height: 85 cm

Materials: Beechwood (reclaimed), stainless steel (satin finish), Rosso Levanto marble

Techniques: CNC metal processing, TIG welding, manual wood restoration, stone carving
Tags: Altered heritage, collectible design, sculptural bench, vintage revival, stainless steel furniture, reinterpreted furniture, contemporary heritage, one of a kind design, design art object
Production Technology: The bench operates as a seating unit but is also intended to be experienced as a sculptural centerpiece. While the user interacts by sitting, the piece transcends ordinary use through its dramatic silhouette, contrasting materials, and curated material composition. It invites users to engage visually and spatially, establishing a contemplative interaction with heritage and contemporary form.
Design Challenge: The greatest challenge was balancing respect for the object’s historical integrity while applying radical material and formal interventions. Technically, reconciling aged wood with heavy contemporary elements without compromising structure required extensive prototyping and creative engineering. Conceptually, transforming memory into bold expression without pastiche was key.
Research: Type of Research: Practice-based design experimentation

Objectives: To explore how fragmented antique elements can be redefined through contemporary materials

Methodology: Archival analysis, prototyping, hands-on material testing

Data Tools: Mid-century furniture catalogues, material resistance tests

Participants: Design team, woodworkers, metal and stone artisans

Results: A one-of-a-kind collectible bench bridging historical memory with bold formal intervention

Insights: Respecting heritage doesn't require restoration—it can mean transformation

Impact: Promotes reinterpretation of cultural artifacts through design rather than conservation
Inspiration: Inspired by the concept of Altered Heritage, this collectible bench reimagines how memory and material can merge into a sculptural and functional object. It originated from the idea of building a dialogue between historical fragments and contemporary interventions. The design invites reflection on how inherited objects can be reborn through bold gestures, new materials, and precise craftsmanship—bridging past and present in one unique edition.
Project Duration: The project started in May 2025 in Istanbul and finished in July 2025 in Istanbul.
Operation Flow: The bench is designed to be used as a functional seating object while also serving as a sculptural centerpiece. The user engages with it by sitting, but its bold form and contrasting materials invite visual exploration as much as physical use. It does not transform mechanically, but redefines the act of sitting through its expressive presence and curated material story.
Team Members: Mısra Özel
Aslıhan Öztürkoğlu
Doğancan Uysal