Designer: Scott Klinker, Scott Klinker Design StudioLLC., Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA and Landscape Forms Design Team, Landscape Forms, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Manufacturer: Landscape Forms, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
Like a “theory” bridges the worlds of the rational and the abstract, Theory transit furnishings merge familiar, utilitarian elements with open-ended, artful design to humanize the transit experience and inspire senses of playfulness and discovery. Consisting of a shelter, two seating systems, and a supporting cube element, Theory uses modularity and adaptability to inspire unique interpretations among users and elevate the creativity of its designers’ visions. Theory's shelter brings a light and contemporary design language to public transit while remaining clear and intuitive in its purpose. A simple system of angled beams, panels, and LED lighting, Theory shelters are scalable to adapt to a transit system’s specific needs. Theory's thin bench seating system functions like a conventional bench but opens the door to site-specific functionality in its configurable accessories. Theory's thick beam seating system offers interesting contrast as it introduces aspects of sculpture and public art. Thick beams can intersect and stack in asymmetric configurations, freely becoming a place to sit, stand, lean, lay, use a laptop, or have a quick meal. Finally, the Theory cube supports configurations as it defines space, signals a transition between transit zones and the surrounding landscape, and serves as a single seat.
Theory’s design centers around the idea of ‘the beam,’ using the simplicity of this humble structural component to create a system of transit site elements that can functionally adapt to a variety of contexts, are aesthetically cohesive, and yet are each artfully expressive in their visual impact. The group of street furnishings is designed to easily scale as transit systems grow and evolve, with shelters and seating being both modular and adaptable to accommodate future changes. Together, its elements have a strong graphic quality—blocky, iconic, and colorful shapes that are still formally minimal and simplified to fit into different architectural contexts.
In addition to being physically scalable, Theory is also aesthetically scalable, seeing transit not as a discrete experience, but as a defining aspect of cities intrinsically connected to cultural fabric and visual identity. Its elements serve their settings beyond the primary function, beautifying the landscape in sculptural and unexpected ways. By offering a variety of settings within a single installation, Theory welcomes the different modes in which people interact with transit systems. Individuals, groups of friends, parents with children, commuters focused on productivity, or people in need of a quick meal can all find their ideal position within an installation.
