Landscape Forms’ new collection of modular structures, called Upfit, is meant to help architects and designers create inviting gathering spaces in outdoor settings. Courtesy Pete McDaniel, Studio DVDP
Enormous resources are devoted to architecture and landscape planning, yet the full potential of most real estate remains barely realized. Outdoor spaces often go overlooked, particularly as functional environments in commercial settings, perhaps because designers have lacked a well-rounded, scalable solution aside from custom installations. With the introduction of Upfit, a modular pavilion system, site furniture manufacturer Landscape Forms promises to fill this void.
Upfit is a natural evolution for the Kalamazoo, Michigan–based company, which, over the past half century, has established itself as a global leader in design-forward outdoor structures and lighting. As cities continue to develop and densify, access to quality outdoor space will become increasingly critical, notes Kirt Martin, Landscape Forms’ chief creative officer and vice president of design and marketing. The company partnered with KEM Studio’s Jonathon Kemnitzer, whose team traveled around the country researching parks, hardscapes, and other outdoor environments to better understand what the “outdoor experience should look like and what it should be,” Martin says.
Read More
“We found that each successful outdoor space was made up of macro and micro elements that created a destination,” says Kemnitzer. Macro elements like a canopy or hardscaping establish distinct spaces, while micro features like seating and plantings make them appealing and inviting. “If you look at people in public space, they don’t feel comfortable unless they’re anchoring themselves to something,” adds Martin. But there are limited options available to create these types of places: Sun cabanas, for instance, provide little more than shade. After several months of research, the team noted the need for structures that could provide designers with the tools to draw people to the outdoors.