Client: Hobe Sound Library
Location:Â Hobe Sound, FL
Project Type: Bench
Timeline: 1 Day of Printing / 1 Day to Install (by Contractor)
The Challenge
When the Hobe Sound Library wanted to honor a beloved, long-time employee, they needed something more impactful than a standard plaque. The goal was to create a functional memorial that celebrated her specific passion, her two favorite books: The Notebook and Heidi. The challenge was designing a piece of public furniture that not only captured the delicate aesthetic of an open book but could also survive the harsh, humid, and sun baked realities of the Florida outdoor climate without rotting or requiring constant maintenance.
The Solution
Printera embraced the challenge by designing a custom, life-sized bench that perfectly mimics the form of an open book resting on the ground. To achieve both the artistic vision and necessary durability, we utilized a hybrid-material approach; for the pages we used our 7-axis 3D concrete printer to extrude the base of the bench in a specialized white concrete. The layered print lines naturally replicate the stacked, textured look of hundreds of book pages. When it came to the hardcover; we integrated a premium plastic wood composite. This material provides the warm, classic look of wood but is engineered to withstand Florida’s UV rays and heavy rain without splintering or fading.
The Outcome
The result is a stunning piece of functional art that beautifully honors the employee’s legacy. By combining the digital precision of 3D printed concrete with weather resistant composite materials, we provided the library with a permanent, maintenance free tribute. It now serves as a welcoming spot for patrons to sit, read, and reflect, perfectly bridging the gap between innovative manufacturing and heartfelt community storytelling.
