Skip to content

Redesigned City Furnishings by 'table: Aiming to Make Public Locales Welcoming for All

City seating consistently presents an issue: repeatably find benches and tables that cater to certain individuals while completely disregarding others in urban landscapes. The T 'able urban furniture concept by Burcu Nehir Tüm confronts this issue directly, rethinking the concept of design...

Redesigned City Furnishings Encourage Inclusivity in Community Areas
Redesigned City Furnishings Encourage Inclusivity in Community Areas

Redesigned City Furnishings by 'table: Aiming to Make Public Locales Welcoming for All

In the heart of city life, public seating areas often serve as social hubs where people gather, converse, and connect. However, many existing designs unintentionally exclude certain groups, particularly those with mobility challenges. But what if public seating could be reimagined to accommodate everyone from the outset? That's the vision behind T 'able, an innovative urban furniture concept by designer Burcu Nehir Tum.

T 'able is a game-changer in the realm of public seating. It doesn't just work for everyone; it actively brings people together. By embodying good citizenship, T 'able is designed with the most vulnerable community members in mind.

Unlike traditional fixed tables and benches that exclude many people, T 'able introduces three distinct access zones. This thoughtful design feature allows wheelchair users to approach comfortably from multiple angles and join at the same table as everyone else. This approach flips the traditional model, refusing to accept exclusion as inevitable.

T 'able's design principle is that true urban sustainability demands inclusivity, where accessibility is not a privilege but a shared right. By fostering genuine integration, T 'able transforms public spaces into shared communities rather than divided territories.

The concept's modular construction, using bent sheet metal profiles and flat panels, allows for infinite configurations. This means T 'able can accommodate different arrangements based on specific needs and spatial constraints in parks, plazas, campus quads, or transit hubs.

But T 'able's benefits extend beyond practicality. Its contemporary and approachable slatted metal construction, available in a range of warm copper tones to cool blues, adds a touch of elegance to any urban setting. Moreover, the curved side forms serve as both structural supports and practical hangers for bags and personal belongings, benefiting everyone, not only those with mobility challenges.

T 'able encourages spontaneous social interaction in cities. Its open design means everyone gathers at the same table, not separate ones. This design choice supports genuine shared participation, allowing users to face each other naturally, collaborate on projects, or simply enjoy meals together without physical or social barriers.

In essence, T 'able challenges designers to think beyond accommodation towards genuine integration. Its philosophy extends to urban planning, advocating for an inclusive and equitable life for all. By redefining public seating, T 'able sets a new standard for urban furniture, demonstrating how designing for vulnerable community members results in better, more equitable solutions for all.

[1] Source: Designboom.com, "T 'able Urban Furniture Concept by Burcu Nehir Tum", 2021. [Accessed 2023-03-20].

Read also:

Latest