2010 Max Lamb: Vermiculated Ashlar

For the first time, the London Design Festival worked with HSBC Private Bank both as sponsor and collaborator. The partnership includes a design commission: a  one-off piece of design for the bank's St James's office which will be unveiled at the  V&A during the Festival

British designer Max Lamb won the competion to carry out the commission. Having created a cast replica of part of the Bank's central office at 78, St James' Street, Lamb then hand-carved the piece using a hammer and chisel into a the shape of a bench, literally a place for people to connect.

This was the third commission in the bank's Connection Collection following Arik Levy's Rockshelves unveiled at Design Miami last year and a second piece which will be unveiled at Design Miami/Basel in June 2010.