Breaking away from the traditional table/bench set proves to be a Scandinavian design success

Furniture and design company out-sider were pioneers when they challenged the status quo back in 2016 and took a bold new design approach to the classic table/bench set. This popular innovation was (and still is) called PLATEAU, and out-sider is now also ready to take on the traditional bench.

It turned out that out-sider were not the only ones to feel that the traditional table/bench set was in need of a design makeover. The launch of PLATEAU has been a particularly popular venture, as the new approach outshines traditional furniture when it comes to user-friendliness, durability and aesthetics with its almost graphic look. Managing Director of out-sider, Ib Mogensen, explains:

“We have seen huge demand for PLATEAU since launching the products. It was clear to us that the market needed fresh inspiration, and that is what we were aiming to provide. This outdoor furniture has unexplored potential in many ways, and so we are delighted to now be expanding it into a whole product family.”

Ethnological study of new sociable design
The company is working together with Holscher Design to launch several new products in the PLATEAU family. The idea is to embrace everyone with this robust furniture, and the design is by no means random. During the test period for the PLATEAU table/benches, an ethnologist working on behalf of Holscher Design observed how people made use of the increased flexibility and the improved possibilities for informal use that the configuration provides. It turned out that the benches were being used for several small groups to sit and socialise and have fun together – which is just what Danes do best, and is the exact purpose of the design.

In other words, the range of benches is designed for everyone who uses the urban space. For instance, you can position a pram right beside you at the bench, and wheelchair users can also sit round the table with everyone else. The designer responsible also points out that the access point in the seating is an advantage.

“We want to communicate that our furniture provides space for all, and supports diversity in society. We also aspired to encourage more informal interaction, with a configuration that allows several groups of people to sit at the same bench,” explains Stig Myler, who is a senior project manager and partner at Holscher Design.

The same Scandinavian design traditions
PLATEAU has been created with strong roots in the Scandinavian design tradition. Its stringent look yields a timeless impression, and its Nordic functionality is underpinned by the fact that the product requires no maintenance. It has been produced from a sustainable material known as HPL (High Pressure Laminate), which in its basic form is 50 sheets of compressed recycled paper. Since the material was initially developed for building façades, it is amazingly hard-wearing and designed to withstand the elements 365 days a year with an expected lifetime of 30+ years. This furniture, which boasts a different and more lasting design than other benches in the urban landscape, has two main focal points: sustainability and social interaction.