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​Unique wooden benches from Nola in a sustainable learning environment

2020–06–09

 — For Kunskapshuset, we have designed site-specific seating. This is a bench that, thanks to its flexible modular system, can easily be connected to numerous seats. In close collaboration with a furniture manufacturer and commissioner, together we have designed a product that clearly links to our architecture, tradition, crafts and technology, architect Jonas Hermansson from the Liljewall architectural office formulates the process.

Seating in painted pine. Designer Liljewall by architect Jonas Hermansson for Nola. Photo: Liljewall architect.

Sustainable construction

The construction of the school Kunskapshuset has been an important part of the "social transformation" process in Gällivare, where the idea has been to create a beautiful environment congruent with the ethics of environmental sustainability. The architecture has taken inspiration from the site, the northern forests and the Sami tradition. The Kunskapshuset has received a facade of glass and wood, with vertical wooden pillars in a strong red colour, which is also reflected in the seats. Wood is dominant in both the exterior and the interior, with wooden panels on the walls and in supporting pillars and beams. An environmental approach can be seen in the use of wood, a traditional and locally-produced material, as well as the reuse of concrete in the form of slag by-product from the Malmberg mine.

Photo: Liljewall architect.

Photo: Liljewall architect.

Site-specific seating

The seating, designed by Liljewall by architect Jonas Hermansson, is in line with Kunskapshuset's other architecture inspired by the northern woods and fallen pine trees. The result is a solid bench in glulam with associated tables on steel feet, coloured in the same deep red colour as the school's facade. The furniture has a consistent colour scheme, in harmony with the school's other materials, and can act as an independent feature or interconnect with long, horizontal parts. The seating can be moved and its composition modified according to the room's requirements. The benches also come with built-in lighting, which can effectively illuminate their parts. The furniture will be brought into production during the year, to be included in Nola's regular range.

The school Kunskapshuset in Gällivare is expected to be ready for inauguration by autumn 2020 and will house the municipality's upper secondary school and adult learning centres.

Fler nyheter

2020

Architects Liljewall installed Nola’s Blenda bike stands in the concourse outside Stockholm's iconic Tomteboda building, an architectural landmark. As Blenda’s integrated LED lighting units show cyclists where to insert locks, they light up the surroundings for pedestrians too. 

Nola will showcase new designs at the 2020 edition of the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair from 4 - 8 Feb 2020. This year, you’ll find us on stand A11: 19, as well as at a few other Stockholm Design Week events throughout the week.