a tangible hub

The Hub is a conversation piece that invites groups to talk, ponder, work and play together. The structure’s deliberately varied seat heights actively encourage the free flow of ideas from diverse perspectives. Inspired by the artwork of Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, and John Baldessari, the Hub represents Brian Madden’s ongoing commitment to functional art and communal experiences.

The Hub was designed to be easily disassembled for transport and provides users a sturdy hook to hold coats, bags and more. The High Pressure Decorative Laminate (HPDL) surfaces are durable enough to survive the coffee spills, wayward pencil marks and other side effects of creativity.

In 2017, the Hub appeared on NBC’s Naturally, Danny Seo in a special segment featuring Wilsonart laminate and the brand's student furniture design challenge.

The Tangible Hub, 2011, powder-coated streel, Baltic birch, found wood, high pressure decorative laminate.

Red and black tangible hub chair sculpture by Brian Madden on stone tiles surrounded by trees in backyard garden
Red and black tangible hub chair sculpture by Brian Madden on a white background in photo studio
Hollyberry Red Wilsonart sample chip on black metal leg of a tangible hub chair sculpture in photo studio, with other black legs and red stools in background
Eight red and black tangible hub chair sculptures by Brian Madden with various objects on the seats, displayed in a large room with a white background
Designer Brian Madden and four other people sitting on red and black tangible hub chair in a photostudio with a white seamless background
Detail of Hollyberry Red Wilsonart sample chip hook on black metal leg of a tangible hub chair in photo studio, with black leather bag strap hanging on hook
Black and white ideation sketch for tangible hub chair sculpture by Brian Madden
black and white sketch of people around a small table
Color ideation sketches showing potential seat layouts and contexts for tangible hub chair by Brian Madden
Designer Brian Madden moving around a mock up of a tangible hub chair using stools, inside of a white room with more chairs
Six people sitting in the dark on a tangible hub chair sculpture with white light illuminating their faces through multiple exposures
A woman looking at design ideation sketches for chairs posted in columns on a glass window
Blue and white cardboard and tape mock up for a tangible hub chair, with artist Brian Madden cardboard cutouts inside a model paper room
Notebook sketches and ideations of a tangible hub chair sculpture by designer Brian Madden
Designer Brian Madden next to a large cardboard mock up and mini mock up of tangible hub chair sculpture in hallway next to gray lockers and other people
Rendering of red and black tangible hub chair sculpture by Brian Madden in white warehouse interior
Tangible hub chair sculpture wood and paper mock up with artist Brian Madden cardboard cutouts on desk
Color sketch of a tangible hub chair sculpture by designer Brian Madden
Color sketch for seat and red sample chip design for tangible hub chair by Brian Madden
Collage of different black white and red concept detail sketches and ideation for a tangible hub chair sculpture by Brian Madden
Two people welding together steel legs for Brian Madden's tangible hub chair sculpture on a wood table in a welding shop
Brian Madden holding black and white sketch above black metal legs and centerpiece of tangible hub chair sculpture on gray carpet in studio
Wooden middle piece from tangible hub chair sculpture being drilled by metal milling machine
Hexagonal wooden centerpiece and black metal legs from tangible hub chair sculpture on wood floor during assembly in gallery
Designer Brian Madden attaching a wooden red seat to the black metal legs of the tangible hub chair sculpture in gallery space
A woman looking at white pin board with black metaproject 01 poster, surrounded by other posters and flyers
A person's hand holding a tortilla chip with a red Wilsonart sample chip inside a red bowl of tortillia chips and salsa on a wood table
Pieces from red and black tangible hub chair sculpture on gray carpet in front of Brian Madden's feet during assembly on set
Naturally Danny Seo sitting on a tangible hub chair on white tiled floor with an orange hexagonal wall, in front of a camera and film crew
Artist Brian Madden and host Danny Seo sitting on a tangible hub chair sculpture on white tiled floor during Naturally Danny Seo television shoot on NBC
Clapperboard from Naturally Danny Seo on NBC interview of designer Brian Madden and the tangible hub chair sculpture