Comments on: Foster 510 by Foster + Partners

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:43:24 +0000

First on the notion of color, a lot of furniture is designed in black or white simply because the colors can work with such a wide variety of different palettes. I don’t have a problem with it referencing previous eras, but in all seriousness, despite how attractive it is, the design seems almost redundant, we’ve all seen other pieces absurdly similar. On a positive note, the proportions are elegant. When creating something like this, there is a definite mark that needs be hit. Too conservative, and it feels redundant, too “innovative” (just because it’s something thats never been seen doesn’t mean its good design) and you just have something both absurd and pretentious.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:46:43 +0000

“Innovation” is a bit of a fetish, if it’s not too tetchy to say so. And perhaps this is not as comfortable as some sofas, but it does look like an extremely comfortable bench which is probably all it’s trying to be. It’s very attractive, right up there with Kjaerholm and personally I like it quite a bit more than the Mies lounge, which I’ve always thought overrated. Also, so many of these bench/lounges are ruined by their legs, and while these legs are halfway to a gimmick, on balance I think they work. In conclusion, a certain amount of minimalist classicism is better than too much of-the-moment wow-ism. What innovation would I like to see? I’d like it to hover six inches off the ground and then deliver me to the kitchen.

By: ruler

ruler — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:30:45 +0000

is 510 the reference to the time on the office junior’s watch when s/he was handed the task, start to completion of the design, just before heading home on friday?

By: bigcheese

bigcheese — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:19:28 +0000

If a new designer had done this no-one would care.

By: J

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:21:20 +0000

Looks nice, however Im sure its not going to win awards for comfort!