Metal tubes poke through slabs of acrylic in furniture by Jeonghwa Seo

South Korean designer Jeonghwa Seo has used purpose-cast aluminium tubes to create a collection of tables and benches, with their structure obscured behind frosted acrylic.

Each of the eight furniture pieces in the Cylinder series is defined by the fusion of rounded acrylic slabs and hollow metal tubing, arranged horizontally and vertically to create the framework for each piece.

Due to their translucency, the acrylic plates obscure the tubes to the point that only their approximate outline is visible, creating what Seo describes as an "intriguing interplay between shape, material, softness and brutality".

"[The Cylinder collection] was created by focusing on the overlapping effect seen under the acrylic plate," he told Dezeen.

The acrylic is tinted with hues including light green, lilac, amber and white to contrast with the silver-grey tone of the aluminium.

"[The subtle colours] show different overlapping effects while harmonising with the achromatic colour of aluminium," Seo explained.

On the bench, the acrylic slabs serve as a seat while on the seven different tables, they provide a surface for storing and displaying items.

"All pieces were created with an emphasis on research into usable structures, even if they do not have the comfort and practicality of regular furniture," the designer said.

"They adapt to their surroundings, while simultaneously imposing upon them through the manipulation of light and shadow," he added.

Both the plastic elements and metal components were made locally in Seoul-based factories.

Seo studied Metal Art and Design at Hongik University in Seoul and completed his graduate studies at the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands before returning to South Korea for his PhD.

He specialises in the design of interior schemes, furniture, homeware and installations, with previous projects including custom furniture for a cafe and wine bar in Seoul and a series of desktop objects for organising and decorating workspaces.

The photography is by Unreal Studio.

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