NEWSLETTER

issue 62 | August 2026

Botan — The Essence of a Bench

The Botan Bench began not as a product, but as a bench Jasper Morrison made for the roof terrace of his own studio in Tokyo. In designing it, Morrison started with the familiar image that comes to mind when we think of a bench — a simple, substantial wooden construction — and sought to capture the essence of that image. After using it on the terrace for five years, he proposed the design to Maruni, seeing its potential beyond its original setting.

Botan’s character comes from how directly it expresses the idea of a bench. Substantial wooden elements are brought together in a clear, balanced composition, with carefully considered proportions and details giving the simple form its distinctive presence.

As Botan began to be used in public spaces following its release in 2013, Maruni received increasing requests for a version without a backrest. This led to the release of Botan Bench Basic in 2015. Bespoke Botan benches were later created for the Switch House extension of Tate Modern in London, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, with dimensions, finishes, and configurations tailored to the architecture.

From a bench made for quiet lunches on a Tokyo rooftop to one used in public spaces around the world, Botan has retained the simplicity of its original idea. Its straightforward construction and understated presence allow it to settle naturally into a wide range of architectural settings.

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