KI EC4

Biophilic Benches

Whilst biophilic design is encroaching rapidly into many aspects of office interiors, desking and benching has hitherto remained pretty much untouched. Sure, we’ve had wooden desks for as long as civilization but for most of that time wood was the easiest or most cost effective way of doing it. Most modern desking uses metal understructures with an MFC top; an evolution of the traditional. Truly biophilic design is of course really about using natural products and materials for no other reason than to make us feel better in the environment in which we work.

KI EC4

Following this philosophy is KI with their new EC4 bench and table range. Combining the elegance and robustness of solid oak and steel, KI’s EC4 collection adds a touch of nature to the modern office landscape. EC4 provides all the capabilities of a workstation system but introduces solid oak into the understructure and a matching laminate edge detail. The splayed, angular legs are somewhat reminiscent of Jean Prouvé designs and directly connect to the main metal understructure that features an integral cable trough. Optional cable riser angled infills sit between the intermediate legs.

KI EC4

As well as benching, the range extends to touchdown spaces, meeting tables and an executive desk. Oversailing end options create space for informal meetings. The refreshing mixed material aesthetic can also be extended to EC4’s complementary storage collection through the use of accents, colours and solid oak feet.

KI EC4

KI EC4Functionality & Aesthetics

  • Matching solid oak inset intermediate legs with optional shroud maintain a consistent look without creating obstructions
  • Integrated horizontal and vertical cable management
  • Sliding tops available at no extra cost
  • UK design and manufacture
  • Cantilevered, uncluttered understructure
  • Worksurfaces available in multiple shapes, edge details and finishes
  • Soft sewn C-Series screens can be added in a range of colours
  • Oversailing ends can be added to create meeting & collaboration space

 

Interface Carpets SkinnyPlanks

First Look: New Skinny Plank collections from Interface Carpets

Announced recently were three new collections to Interface Carpets‘ already burgeoning range of Skinny Plank designs: Equal Measure, Near and Far and Narratives. If you’re unfamiliar with the Skinny Plank concept these are 25 x 100cm carpet planks that can be used to create similar patterns to those found on timber or vinyl flooring such as ashlar and herringbone designs. Collections so far have largely focused on biophilic designs. These new collections continue this trend further, focusing specifically on man’s interaction with and interpretation of nature. Andrew Frost of Interface introduced us to the new ranges in the flesh.

Interface Equal Measure

Equal Measure is inspired by traditional cobblestone streets and the juxtaposition between man-made and natural surfaces. The range is offered in a palette of eight subdued colours combined with irregular patterns to create the look of a lived-in street. In common with previous Skinny Plank designs, Equal Measure includes a full feature tile (EM553), a transition tile (EM552) and a more simple field tile (EM551).

Interface Near & farNear and Far evokes natural materials such as wood and stone that have been weathered by wind and rain or carved by man. Available in eight colour-ways – Driftwood, Shale, Linen, Hemp, Walnut, Felt, Wheat and Mineral – the Near and Far collection features two planks: Subtle grooves run the length of the NF400 tile whilst more variation and texture is introduced to the NF401 tile.

 

Interface NarrativesAs the name implies, Narratives is inspired by the stories of objects, what we see around us and finding meaning and patterns in everything we see like patterns of tea leaves. Hence, the names of the eight colour-ways; Ginger, Wasabi, Chai, Ginseng, Sesame, Darjeeling, Oolong and Fennel. A figurative scroll pattern created by height contrasts features on the NS230 tile and the NS231 tile is defined by a linear pattern with less contrast in height.