A wheelbarrow-seat

I had the idea for this many years ago when I picked up a postcard at the Minack open-air theatre in Cornwall. The card showed the theatre’s creator, Rowena Cade, as an old lady, sitting in an upturned builders’ barrow. But this looked rather uncomfortable and so I thought one day I would re-design the common barrow with the idea of comfort in mind. After all one always needs a rest and a sit-down whilst gardening and a place to sit and think ...

The metal barrow/seat is CNC-cut from sheet steel, which is then fabricated by metalworker 'Bashing' Billy Jefferson into the right shape. Getting the pattern-cutting exactly right always interests me - how the flat 2D shapes become the 3D form. I know there's probably a clever way of doing this in CAD, but I prefer messing about with paper and a pair of scissors. The metal form is then zinc-coated to help prevent rust, and powder-coated, The frame and seat are in oak fitted with a stock steel wheel and inflatable tyre. This is a finely-crafted piece which is built to give many years of use and enjoyment; it just ended up a bit pricey...

This piece was chosen by the late Sir Terence Conran for inclusion in his book Terence Conran’s Inspiration, co-written with Stafford Cliff. The book illustrates a collection of objects that Sir Terence found inspirational. Facing pages throughout the book pair and contrast various objects. My wheelbarrow is paired with one designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Wearmouth Dock, in Sunderland, which is very nice as I am a big fan of Brunel!

www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/terence+conran/stafford+cliff/terence+conran27s+inspiration/6206627/