North Carolina-based contract furniture company Here Now introduces Tate, a new modular seating system produced to support users’ well-being in public spaces. “Tate was conceptualized during the pandemic when I was thinking about social distancing,” says Justin Champaign, founder and creative partner.
The idea sat on the shelf as the team focused on other projects, but Champaign decided to revisit Tate when clients noted that privacy and wellness were key concerns. He looked at a variety of public spaces and was particularly inspired by the High Line. Built on an elevated rail line, this Manhattan park has more than 230 benches and seating areas. With plenty of space on each, two people will usually sit on opposite ends, which offers a sense of connection while still maintaining a level of personal comfort. Tate provides the same kind of form and function for indoor environments, from offices to hospitality spaces.
Tate is a designer’s kit of parts that includes cushions, base beams, and tables that snap together for quick assembly – no tools required. A patent-pending pivot connector allows clients to link, rotate, or reconfigure pieces with ease.
There’s no limit to how Tate can be combined or joined. A student might perch on an ottoman in a lecture hall, or colleagues gather on two-seaters mixed and matched in a collaboration zone. Designed with ergonomics in mind, the seating supports various postures, while seat pads that swivel keep bodies in motion during the day.
Modular furniture is popular, but typical lounges are often bulky and have too many parts. Tate’s compact footprint allows it to fit in any space or even curve around columns. Units placed back-to-back are suitable for minimal interaction, and small-group brainstorming sessions are enlivened with side-to-side pairings.
Made of a plastic frame and foam, the components are not only lightweight, they can also be fully recycled and disassembled. Specifiers may select modules with a high back, low back, or a more casual no-back style. These backs are lower than typical dividers, stopping slightly forward of shoulder height. Individuals are able to view their surroundings without obstruction, which creates a feeling of emotional security. Tate is reminiscent of a picnic table, with benches and a surface in the center. In this updated version, as elements are extended more space is available, accessible to wheelchair users and others with physical limitations.
Tate made its official debut at ICFF in New York City last week, winner of an NYCxDESIGN award in the contract lounge seating category. Displayed in a yellow fur upholstery at the show, a complete range of Kvadrat fabrics is on offer via Here Now’s new graded-in textile program. It’s no surprise that Tate is already generating buzz, with its blend of versatility and fun. “When you do the unexpected with furniture like Tate, it creates moments of delight,” Champaign notes. “That can seem like a small thing, but it has so much impact.”
For more information on Here Now, visit herenowdesign.com.
Imagery courtesy of Here Now.
