Landscape Forms MultipliCITY

A leader in the world of outdoor furniture and fixtures, Landscape Forms approached Yves and fuseproject to design a furniture system that would stand out in the highly competitive domestic market, as well as help them grow their business beyond the US.

To inform our approach, we did a thorough audit of the competitive landscape, including product positioning, aesthetics (form, materials and finishes) and mapped this against known sales information to identify success drivers. We also conducted numerous informal interviews with architects and landscape architects to understand how they evaluated and specified these products, along with any unmet needs. Time spent in Michigan at Landscape Forms production facilities helped us understand their development and production process, and showed us key areas of strength in craft and capability.

The resulting design strategy focused on two things: efficiency and customization. Our approach to efficiency was to recommend a modular design, wherein the core structural elements (the legs of the table, frame of the benches, etc) is shipped to the customer, but the finishing surfaces (which could be wood, bamboo, cast concrete panels) are sourced locally. Shipping less material is better for the environment, and reduces cost. It also enables a higher degree of customization than typically seen in outdoor furniture, allowing architects and designers greater freedom and flexibility.

Whether it is for the fresh air, socializing, or working in the sun, being outside is good for you. MultipliCITY is our first outdoor furniture collection, and US-based Landscape Forms' first foray into international markets. Our solution is to design smart structural castings, while allowing the horizontal surfaces to be customized with local woods and finishes. This reduces the bulk and cost of shipping, while also allowing architects to design their own versions of the system. Functional solutions such as tablets on benches, bike racks with horizontal surfaces to lay a helmet or bag while locking the bike, respond to unmet needs and create delightful moments. MultipliCITY wants to respond to the way we live and work outdoors, with smart assembly and exposed connections that are crafted to enhance one’s appreciation of the time we spend outside.