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After 17 Years the Ypsilon Bench Is Awoken

Norwegian designer Daniel Rybakken is known worldwide for his designs, interiors, installations, and prototypes – yet the Ypsilon bench is his first collaboration with a Norwegian producer, Vestre. “I created the design for this bench back in 2005, and have often thought about it over the years. Just before the summer (2022), I contacted Vestre, and they immediately liked the concept. Then it was a quick route to take it into production,” says Rybakken, adding that the shape of the bench hasn’t changed since his first design prototype.

light wood bench with light green metal legs

A Vestre hallmark is the brand’s durable, sustainable, well-designed benches for urban environments, which is right in line with Rybakken’s vision. The designer clearly pictured the form and concept of the Ypsilon bench from the start, a simple yet stable design that wasn’t visually cumbersome. And it had to be comfortable.

The bench’s stripped down design features angled, linear solid glulam beams, which rest on laser-cut and bent sheets of galvanized steel. The beams provide a comfortable seat, while the slope allows water to quickly run off the seating surface. Glulam beams also make it possible to create very long lengths of the Ypsilon bench.

side view of light wood bench with light green metal legs

”The contrasts between the materials are interesting, both between the steel and the glulam, and in the space between the beams of the seat. Nothing in the main element of the base is welded, instead, the steel evokes folded paper. It highlights the quality of both steel and wood. I like form-wise innovation where you can work with traditional materials and still create something new,” says Rybakken.

light wood bench with light green metal legs

The designer compares the production of the Ypsilon bench to that of indoor furniture, with no detail being left to chance. The precision in the manufacturing means that the seating fits just as well indoors as in parks, squares, and other outdoor environments.

The Ypsilon bench is available in a straight and a round version, and can be equipped with armrests and backrests, as well as a flexible metal table top. The seat itself is available in impregnated pine or ash. All Vestre products are manufactured in hot-dip galvanized Swedish steel, Nordic pine from sustainable forestry, and are available in 200 RAL colors with a lifetime guarantee against rust.

side view sketch of light wood bench with light green metal legs

model size benches

model size benches

person sitting on light wood bench prototype

light wood bench with light green metal legs

light wood bench with light green metal legs

dark wood bench with back and light green metal legs

dark wood bench with back and light green metal legs

side view of dark wood bench with back and light green metal legs

detail of dark wood bench with back and light green metal legs

black and white portrait of light-skinned man with dark hair and facial hair

Daniel Rybakkan \\\ Photo: Einar Aslaksen

To learn more about the Ypsilon bench, visit vestre.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.