Taking the V&A Cast Courts as his inspiration, Max Lamb has designed a piece based on a plaster cast of the decorative and historic façade of the HSBC Private Bank HQ at 78 St James Street. Lamb used stonemasonry techniques to remove material from the original plaster cast. The result is a bench designed for public use: a place for people to connect in the heart of the V&A. This piece was commissioned by the London Design Festival and HSBC Private Bank for HSBC Private Bank's Connection Collection; which takes inspiration from international cultural identities and philosophies to open doors and make connections for clients around the world.

For the first time, the London Design Festival is working 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 will then hand carve the piece using a hammer and chisel into a the shape of a bench, literally a place for people to connect.