Altered Heritage Bench by Mısra Ozel is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 은상 in 문화유산 및 문화 산업 디자인 Competition Category.

은문화유산· 2026

Altered Heritage Bench

by Mısra Ozel

Client: Glif

A' Design Award 은상 Winner in 문화유산 Category

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Verified Award Winner
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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 은상

Altered Heritage Bench, 이 작품은 A' Design Award 은상 수상작으로, 최상급이며 아름답고 인상적인 디자인에 수여되는 비범하게 권위 있는 인정입니다. 은상 수상작은 대단히 뛰어나고 매우 창의적인 작품으로, 디자이너의 탁월한 전문 지식, 재능, 통찰력을 보여 줍니다. Altered Heritage Bench, 이 작품은 훌륭한 대표작으로서 매우 전문적이고 깊이 있게 혁신적일 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 은상 수상 디자인은 예술, 과학, 디자인, 기술의 경계를 넓히는 데 이바지하는 주목할 만하고 찬사를 받는 발명품입니다. Altered Heritage Bench, 이 작품은 모두가 부러워하는 창작물로서 욕망을 일깨우고 긍정적인 감정을 불러오며 경탄과 경이로움을 불러일으킵니다.

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