I designed the Lilo Bench to showcase the strength and beauty of inflated metal, created with a homemade version of the Hydroforming process. A pressure washer is used to pump water into a 2D sheet metal profile, which forces the sheets apart and inflates the object like a metal balloon.

Focusing on this exciting process for my final project at Kingston university, I created over a dozen inflated steel objects; to determine which 2D shapes can be successfully transformed into 3D products. After several experiments with simple shapes, I decided to try a test piece that imitated the complex form of an inflatable plastic 'Lilo'. The test was a success, discovering that the Lilo form makes an ideal bench seat, as the distinctive structure is incredibly strong and surprisingly comfortable.

Wanting to keep strength as my main focus, I designed concrete and steel supports inspired by bridge engineering, providing a solid foundation while also creating the illusion that the Lilo is floating.​​

After the Lilo is inflated, the edges and surface are sanded smooth before being powder coated. I chose a bright and glossy finish to mimic a plastic inflatable, this gives the bench a soft appearance, so people are shocked when they discover that it’s actually metal!