Olithas from Landscape Forms Transforms Cast Concrete into Lifestyle Design

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Aug 20, 2013

Landscape Forms is pleased to introduce Olithas, an outdoor table and bench with a thin fluted MeldStone™ top and seat of striking form and elegance that reimagines what cast concrete can be. The Olithas collection is part of Terrace Life, Landscape Forms’ lifestyle furniture designed specifically for terraces, rooftop gardens and other private and protected spaces distinguished by their unique ambience and quality of social life.

The name Olithas combines the Greek word “Lithos” meaning stone, and the Spanish word “Olita” meaning tiny wave to describe the fluted form, based on the classical column, of this graceful outdoor furniture. Table tops and seats are supported by a handsome geometric tubular steel base. “Olithas is an exercise in making cast concrete appear to be light and fluid, like waves,” explains Landscape Forms Senior Designer Efrain Velez. “We wanted to pay homage to classical and modern architecture and create furniture that is appropriate for many architectural contexts -- to achieve an elegant integration, through design, of common architectural materials at furniture scale.” Olithas has already demonstrated success as winner of a prestigious 2013 Red Dot Award, the European honor bestowed on exceptional international design.

As part of Terrace Life, Olithas is designed with architects and interior designers in mind. In form, detail and elegant informality it sets a new standard for furniture designed for spaces at the intersection of architecture and nature. Olithas benches and tables create a magnetic field for active outdoor living; with a welcoming attitude and free spirit that encourages family gathering, after-hours mingling, eating and drinking, celebrating and relaxing. Olithas brings together the new Landscape Forms focus on lifestyle furniture for more intimate, high-design outdoor spaces with its capability in cast concrete, following acquisition of MeldUSA.

The fluted pattern on the underside of Olithas’ concrete tops and seats provide a universal language, structure and reinforcement. These surfaces are made of MeldStone™ Ultra High Performance Concrete, a technology that enables the molding of thin strong slabs. The geometric steel bases of seamless precision-welded and finished tubing provide robust support but sit lightly within the landscape, and the radius of the base tubing fits the wave pattern of surfaces to provide a complete integration of form. Table and bench tops and bases are joined together by jewel-like connectors of cast stainless steel. A gentle upward curve at the back of bench is ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing.

The 64” table and bench easily accommodate up to six adults while taking up minimal visual space. Olithas is strong, durable, comfortable and manufactured in the US. The concrete used in its manufacture is a natural material that provides sustainable longevity and can be ground and reused for industrial applications at the end of product life. The steel contains at least 60% recycled content and is fully recyclable.

About Landscape Forms

Landscape Forms is the industry leader in integrated collections of high-design site furniture and advanced LED lighting. Since its founding in 1969 Landscape Forms has earned a reputation for excellent design, high quality products and exceptional service. The Landscape Forms U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan with sales offices throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Southern Europe, the United Arab Emirates and Asia. Landscape Forms collaborates with renowned industrial designers and consultancies, landscape architects, and architects to design and develop integrated collections of products that address emerging needs and help create a sense of place. Additionally, the company has formed global marketing partnerships with select companies that share its commitment to design. Landscape Forms has an installed base of products around the world. Clients include municipalities, transit centers, corporate, college and health care campuses; and familiar brand leaders such as Boeing, Cisco Systems, Disney, Sprint, American Airlines, Herman Miller and Nike. The company was recently named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the Top 15 Small Workplaces in the US. Visit www.landscapeforms.com

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