Bill Amberg Studio has collaborated with sculptor David Worthington and John Robertson Architects (JRA) to create a series of monumental travertine ‘boulder benches’ at 20 Gresham Street, bringing stone and leather together into a shared material language within the architectural space.
Located within the building’s reimagined double-height entrance hall, conceived as a gallery-like reception area, the benches form part of a wider architectural scheme led by JRA. The result of a two-year project, the four benches were sculpted from a single block of Tuscan travertine, each measuring up to five metres in length and weighing 2.5 tonnes. Leather specialist Bill Amberg Studio was commissioned to design and craft bespoke leather seat pads and cushions that respond directly to the sculptural, curved forms.
Working in close dialogue with Worthington’s organic shapes, the studio developed precisely tailored elements in vegetable-tanned Tuscan leather, selected for its natural affinity with the stone. Each leather seat is individually scribed and shaped to fit seamlessly within the carved travertine, resulting in a careful balance between hard and soft materials. The leather has been chosen not only for its tonal harmony with the stone, but for its similar ageing qualities, developing a soft patina over time that mirrors the ageing characteristics of the travertine.
"This was a really interesting exercise in finding a common language between materials. The benches have a beautifully organic quality, and the challenge was to introduce comfort without disrupting that. The leather needed to feel as though it belonged to the stone — both visually and in how it will wear over time."
The cushions sit as gently padded, slung elements within the carved recesses, offering comfort while preserving the sculptural integrity of the benches. Over time, both materials will develop their own patina, the leather and the stone ageing together.
