The ‘Beam’ collection by Adam Weir cites concrete reinforcement as inspiration

Beams made of reinforced concrete are crucial structural components that give buildings and other built structures support and stability. For the whole building to be structurally sound and safe, the methods utilised to install reinforced concrete beams are essential. Rebar (which stands for 'reinforcing bar'), is a type of steel reinforcement frequently incorporated into concrete, to increase its tensile strength. Drawing inspiration from this specific joining technique, industrial designer Adam Weir created the Beam collection—a modular collection of domestic furniture designs comprising a stool, bench and side table.

“A few months back, I picked up a book on Ron Arad, and was captivated when I read about the concrete stereo he designed in 1983. It was so progressive in its use of concrete, that it could perhaps be considered an unorthodox and mundane material in the world of industrial design. He celebrated it with all its cracks, defects, and everything you can see, including the rusted reinforcement wire mesh poking out of the concrete. This allowed me to utilise this construction technique in a completely different context and materiality—a piece of contemporary furniture. The form of each piece reflects an extruded beam, with reinforcement rods that run through and out the end,” shares Weir, explaining his inspiration behind the collection.

The wooden furniture pieces comprising the Beam collection adopt imaginative and minimalistic expressions while retaining a simple, unified design language that does not vie for attention. By virtue of the collection's modular design, the pieces can grow and be rearranged to accommodate foreseeable changes in the homes and lifestyles of its users. The collection's mitred pine board construction, powder-coated aluminium tubes, and temporary fasteners, enable responsible dismantling and restoration at the end of their lives, aligning with Weir's sustainable design approach. “In my work, an underlying, strong product story is an important criterion, in order for it to become a product that enriches and complements our lives over many years, avoiding obsolescence. With the Beam collection, this story has taken inspiration from concrete beams to subtly build in utility ledges and functional divisions to domestic pieces of furniture,” the furniture designer elaborates.

The versatile Beam collection effortlessly blends aesthetics and practicality with a combination of architectural forms abstracted within furniture pieces. The bench and stool design become partial, moment-to-moment perching ledges for magazines, coffee, and music. The product designs are also an architectural extension of the home, where their black tubular elements provide subtly functional divisions and utility ledges, allowing the user to balance plants, books, and lights on them, increasing their permanence and value. Beam also features a LEGO-like quality, owing to the metal extrusions fitting into the holes of the other furniture pieces of the collection. These aluminium extrusions can also be utilised in a variety of ways if not inserted, as an extended side rest to store trays, books, and plants.

The product designer’s utilisation of eco-friendly materials adds warmth to the collection while reducing its environmental impact. By combining natural elements, the Beam collection’s stool and table design strengthen connections to the environment with its features of sustainability. Furthermore, Beam blends easily into living spaces, providing a dynamic and adaptable experience by reinventing the utilitarian into the aesthetic. Weir's creative strategy is indicative of how design can elevate commonplace things into useful and aesthetic objects, enhancing lifestyles and reinforcing the significance of environmental stewardship.

Text by Ria Jha