Reviving an Enduring Emblem of Simplicity, Loll Designs Launches the Here and There Collection

The best designs almost always come out of necessity and quiet observation. In the 1940s, legendary ecologist Aldo Leopold constructed a remarkably straightforward wooden bench so that he could sit outside his Wisconsin farmstead and contemplate nature’s primal force; the fundamental need for its conservation. The back-slanted seat was constructed from readily available dimensional lumber and almost immediately presented itself as an act of unpretentious, serendipitous genius: the quick assembly of a functional furnishing devised for a specific need but ultimately, one with universal potential. The particular brilliance of the design was its x-shaped self-bracing geometry, zero waste configuration, and uncomplicated assembly.

“Anyone that’s handy with a saw and some fasteners and lumber could easily build an Aldo bench,” says Eric Swanson, president of Duluth-based outdoor furniture brand Loll Designs. “That’s the beauty of it.” The Minnesota manufacturer recently teamed up with Michigan industrial design studio Argenta Park to turn the foundational artifact into the Here and There Collection. Named for Leopold’s belief that our appreciation for the natural world should balance between what’s nearby and farther afield, the cohesive and complementary suite of furnishings includes a dining chair, dining table, and of course, a bench.

Photography courtesy of Loll Designs.

This contemporary reinterpretation was twelve years in the making. For his outdoor wedding in 2014, Argenta Park designer Ricky Biddle was faced with the same practical challenge Leopold surmounted decades earlier: creating sturdy, durable, and comfortable outdoor seating. He didn’t want to rent generic, flimsy event furniture, so he spent his bachelor party assembling rudimentary Aldo benches. It was almost as if influential Italian designer Enzo Mari had sanctioned the task as one of his open-source “Autoprogettazione” self designs.

The pieces have remained a fixture of Biddle and his family’s everyday life ever since. This permanence prompted him to reconsider how its raw genius might be retooled using advanced manufacturing, elevated ergonomics, and year-round durability. He brought the idea to Argenta Park founder Churu Yun and the Loll Designs engineering team.

Photography courtesy of Loll Designs.

The best type of historical preservation is the kind that implements the latest technologies and refined strategies; doesn’t focus on creating replicas merely out of nostalgic reverence. “Not all historical designs lend themselves to being evolved into a modern-day furniture piece,” says Brian King, Loll Designs Brand and Marketing Director. “It’s more about being hyper selective in a design that has meaning, history, or a deep-rooted memory and identifying what’s most valuable.” Loll had done this many times before, most notably by bringing the ubiquitous Adirondack Chair up to contemporary standards.

While still carrying the original design’s understated silhouette, the re-edited and expanded collection carefully addressed the physical limitations of simple timber construction. Softly contoured surfaces replace flat planks, streamlined fastener assembly, and the use of 100% recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—available in Black, Charcoal Grey, Fog, and Sage—simplifies ongoing maintenance.

Photography courtesy of Loll Designs.

This calculus responds to changing demands: contemporary homeowners are increasingly looking for low-maintenance solutions that can withstand harsh seasonal shifts without sacrificing aesthetic refinement or tactile comfort. “With historical designs comes historical maintenance and poor ergonomics,” Swanson adds. “People want to enjoy their time outdoors sitting in their furniture more than working on it, which is why using alternative materials to traditional wood is a benefit; why a curved seat and backrest is so important; and why the right proportions—the height of the dining table—make all the difference.”

Leopold is widely considered the founder of wildlife ecology and his bench stands testament to that; allowing people to enjoy nature for as long as they want. The new Here and There Collection carries on that legacy.