Soft Spot presents a social furniture in the form of cushioned steps embedded with earthen casts. The design offers a soft, adaptable canvas where users can rest, hug, gather, and explore their own ways of inhabitation to fulfil various social needs. This interactive experience is complemented by the earthen casts which serve as playful, versatile objects–such as tables, plinths, and vases–welcoming personal customisation and connection.
2025 European Culture Center "Time Space Excistence"
interactive experience is complemented by the earthen casts which serve as playful, versatile objects–such as tables, plinths, and vases–welcoming personal customisation and connection.
Soft Spot tells the story of two key materials: limecrete and knitted fabric. It’s a local collective has worked closely with Yu-Mei Huang, a London-based textile artist specialising in innovative knit practices, to bring together this unique pairing.
Reversing the traditional approach of placing soft fabric over hard materials, Soft Spot embeds the hard into the soft. This distinctive pairing celebrates the breathable, hygroscopic qualities of limecrete, which enhances our well-being in public spaces by buffering moisture and absorbing carbon dioxide, while the soft cushioning and tactile nature of knitted fabric provide comfort and intimacy.
Together, these materials invite us to reimagine public furniture that not only adapts to diverse social needs but also enhances our sense of belonging in shared spaces.
The assembly of Soft Spot uses stackable cushions and removable casts. Without the use of nails or permanent fixtures, the social furniture can be easily disassembled and relocated, minimising waste. Its modular design welcomes various customisations for different moods and spaces. This design offers a sustainable approach, both in terms of materiality and construction, to exhibition and public installations.
Designed by it’s a local collective with Yu-Mei Huang
Knitted Fabric by Yu-Mei Huang
Earthen Casts by it’s a local collective