Introducing the ADP Bench (Adults Don’t Play), an interactive element designed for public spaces

that conveys a non-verbal message and invites you to take ownership. It even allows you to decide on its very function. The ADP Bench is designed by Copenhagen-based studio Spacon, made in collaboration with +Halle® in response to the sixth Annual Briefing based on the theme of ‘Playing’.

Inspired by behavioural research shared by the University of Southern Denmark on the briefing day, Spacon explored human triggers in a subtle but most humanistic way. The result: a bench that makes you engage, like an adult.

“The Annual Briefing on Playing had a fantastic energy; it was clear from the beginning that the group wanted to avoid gimmicks and stay close to reality. I think the ADP Bench beautifully tells that story, being true to intuitive behaviours we find in public spaces today,” Martin Halle, CEO of +Halle®, says.

“We had the chance to study playing from a social scientific standpoint, immerse ourselves in the mental triggers that surround the theme and share those in critical discussions with our peers. Having the feedback from the other skilled designers (Philippe Malouin and Raw-Edges) was a designer-to-designer dialogue we had longed for,” Svend Jacob Pedersen, Founding Partner, Spacon, reflects.

Hybrid use — high and low

The wooden ADP Bench can be seen as an interactive mental trigger and a hybrid set of seats and tables. Mimicking a classic drummers stool with a swivel, the ADP Bench can be adjusted to serve as a set of low, standard, or high seats mixed with table height options. Included are, of course, all the measures in between, with endless combinations.

Designed by: Spacon

Spacon & X is an award-winning, cross-disciplinary design and architecture studio that prioritizes exploration. Based in Copenhagen and established in 2014, our intention is to craft unexpected pieces, spaces and experiences to present a world full of unimaginable possibilities.
Our work varies in scale, ranging from furniture products to interior design to larger building projects. Whenever we create, the intention is to be honest and fearless in our approach –– working closely with clients, suppliers and collaborators to present a personalised final result, underpinned by a synthesis between our intuitive design practice and the client’s brand identity.