BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE
Inspired by the work of Nobel prize winner John Hume in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, this design aims to bring people to the table to find common ground and look for peaceful solutions.
Its sculptural looks means it also serves as functional objet d’art, with multiple potential uses – from work space to picnic table to display table, or a smaller version for a child's bedroom or play area.
INFLUENCING BEHAVIOUR
The starting point was to require the parties to take action to be able to sit together – in this case by climbing into the table, as required by its frame. The shared corner bench literally bridges any physical divide. The frame separates the unoccupied sides of the table from the surrounding space – and makes it perfect for putting in a corner, where the occupiers are obliged to interact with each other without distraction.
Lastly, both table and bench are higher than average, without reaching the height of a bar. Just enough to make the occupiers stand out in a crowd of tables and bring them into the public eye, increasing the pressure to reach a peaceful agreement.
