Milan 2013: Zaha Hadid imagined a block of ice formed in the crevasses of a glacier for the design of this bench, launching this week in the Tortona district of Milan.

The Serac Bench, designed by Zaha Hadid for street furniture brand Lab23, is made from a resin and quartz composite that gives it a sparkling white colour.

The surface of the bench is shaped into a series of smooth ridges and curves, and a single arch forms a backrest on one side.

The piece is on show at the Officine della Torneria, Via Novi, 5, just around the corner from Dezeen's movie studio at the MINI Paceman Garage.

London architect Zaha Hadid is showing a number of projects around Milan this week, including a pair of monochrome pendant lamps, a limited edition of marble tables and a system of twisting auditorium seats.

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Photography is by Jacopo Spilimbergo.

Here's some more information from Zaha Hadid Architects:

Zaha Hadid for Lab23

Zaha Hadid's concept of urban furniture to be seamlessly integrated with its context and Lab23's experience coalesce into the Serac Collection, especially the Serac Bench, the urban bench designed by the architect and designer for the renowned street furniture label.

The concept behind the Serac Bench, which will be presented at Fuorisalone 2013, at the Officine della Torneria from April 8th to 14th, is evoked by the image of a block of ice formed by intersecting crevasses in a glacier. Developed as an urban sculpture for seating and resting, the Serac Bench seamlessly integrates with its context. Its striated articulations emerge from the landscape, each layer taking its own unique trajectory in reaction to latent forces that disperse - and ultimately coalesce - the many strata of the bench to generate its overall formal composition. The design rediscovers the fluid, continuous nature of Zaha Hadid's work - exploring relationships between full and void, object and background, form and function; an evolutionary pattern that is evident throughout her repertoire.
The bench has been developed in resin quartz, a tough and durable material that when shaped into a more curvaceous form, transitions into a softer, fluid and tactile surface. The sparkling crystal balances a stunning light play with mesmerizing depth.

Lab23, with numerous collaborations with world-renowned architects and designers under its belt, will present the Serach Bench together with its entire collection of street furniture, developed with innovative and enviromentally friendly materials, which have always characterized the brand. Five and Sofa are designed to furnish urban living rooms with ottomans, side tables and sofas. On the other hand, line S, designed by Veronica Martinez, consists of benches and flower boxes that recall the winding shape of an S. Stéphane Chapelet developed benches, tables and Zadig, a steel seat which features an interesting texture thanks to its laser cutting.

At Fuorisalone 2013, and after focusing mainly on public spaces, Lab23 will have the chance to present Aria23, a collection of outdoor furniture dedicated to the general public that distinguishes itself for a unique sensitivity for enviromental impact. For Aria23, architecture studio Marconato e Zappa, has developed a selection of décors.

The common and idenitfying feature of this collection is indeed the use of WPC, wood and plastic composit, an entirely recyclable material.