Carved from millions-year-old Belgian stone, the Sill Bench carries deep geological memory. Each chisel mark and fossil embedded in the surface tells a story that predates its maker, while every use adds a new layer to its evolving patina, transforming this seeming ‘lump’ of stone into a living record of time, touch and transformation.

Belgian designer Stijn Jean Vos explores the dialogue between humans and the natural world through the materials we shape and the traces we leave behind. Working exclusively with locally sourced, hard, natural materials, he challenges conventions around what’s considered valuable or contemporary. His approach blends craftsmanship and critique, questioning how tradition can evolve without losing its roots.

For the Sill Bench, Vos chose Petit Granit, a distinctive Belgian limestone still quarried today but now often overlooked. Once found in window sills, stair treads and countertops Petit Granit has gradually been replaced as a defining feature of Belgian homes by cheaper, less sustainable materials like concrete. 

It’s a piece that encourages reflection, not only on the material itself, but on memory, place, and the sensory experiences that shape our connection to the built environment. As Vos explains:

“As a child, I was constantly outside. I grew up in a small village where playing outdoors was simply a way of life. Stone sills were a quiet part of that world, places to sit, lean, and gather. Each sill was different: some polished, others bush-hammered or marked with relief. Every sill carried its own story.”

With the Sill Bench, he has found a way to continue that story, creating a quiet reminder of the beauty and longevity of natural stone, and a call to rethink how we build and what we value.