Concrete Experiments – Seating by Scottish Designer & Maker Tristan Cochrane

It’s fascinating when you hear about different designers and artists and how their career paths changed, often in quite a sudden and unusual fashion. The story of Japanese architect Tadao Ando has always been one that I’ve been particularly curious about. He worked as a truck driver and boxer before settling on becoming an architect. Despite never having formal training in the field, Tadao attended night classes to learn how to draw and about interior design, he also travelled through Europe to see the work of great architects such as Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Louis Kahn before returning to Osaka to establish a studio of his own. Seeing this work by Scottish designer Tristan Cochrane felt slightly similar in a way, so I wanted to show it here.

Tristan was born in the Highlands of Scotland and for 10 years ran a commercial fishing enterprise before he ventured into the world of design. After a short period studying cabinet making and furniture design he moved to Eindhoven where he worked for Studio Maarten Baas before settling in Barcelona in 2011 where he set up a studio with partner and art director Paula Benvegnú. Currently based in London, he is involved in commissions, freelance work and development of his own projects.

The work that I’m showcasing here highlights his experimentation with the material of concrete, casting these pieces using various moulding techniques that he constructs himself. The bench above is titled ‘Drift’ and is a sculptural design produced by Established & Sons. I’m really in awe of the flowing and elegant form that he’s been able to create, it’s really beautiful to look at. More works can be seen on his portfolio linked below, enjoy.

cargocollective.com/tristancochrane

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