“Typically transit solutions are very utilitarian, and we wanted Theory to retain some of that character, but we also wanted it to interact with landscapes in more unexpected, beautiful and creative ways,” describes Landscape Forms Chief Innovation Officer, Kirt Martin. “Theory combines a traditional transit shelter and seating experience with sculptural, non-prescriptive elements that feel more like public art. It’s about achieving both the expected and the unexpected from the same program, while helping campuses and municipalities build a unique visual identity around their transit systems.”

As its name implies, Theory employs a logic that can be applied to the landscape in a variety of ways. Much more than a series of objects, Theory is a series of settings that envisions public transit through the lens of the traveler’s experience, creating purposeful, personal environments for the traveler and taking unique design opportunities to improve upon that experience.

“Theory is a ‘platform product’ that can be scaled and composed to fit the diverse needs of different projects,” says designer, Scott Klinker. “The line’s settings can range from the highly artistic to the highly functional—from very abstract forms that invite interpretation, to very prescribed forms that suggest one clear use. This range of expression is achieved with a very minimal form language, designed for absolute simplicity to fit into a variety of architectural contexts.”

The line’s seating concept centers around the idea of “the beam.” Building out from this simple structural component is a line of elements that are aesthetically compatible yet each uniquely expressive in functional and visual impact. The Theory shelter is refined, visually light and clear in its purpose. On each structure, an angled aluminum beam raises two shelter panels, one seemingly floating at the rear of the structure and one cantilevered overhead to create an airy and uncluttered interior. At the apex of each vertical beam, a powerful LED casts a pool of light downward to create a sense of comfort and security. Theory shelters are scalable and can join together in up to groups of four to adapt to transit systems as they grow and evolve.

Theory’s two horizontal bench systems best represent the line’s unique duality of prescriptive and non-prescriptive design. The thin bench system acts most like a conventional bench but opens the door to specifically customized functionality. The bench can be configured with a selection of accessories, including a choice of two to four backrest options, wide and thin arms, and convenient attached side tables to create different and uniquely purposeful alcoves throughout an installation.

Theory’s thick bench system juxtaposes the more traditional transit elements to create non-prescriptive settings with artful presence. Thick seating benches can intersect and stack up to three high in asymmetric configurations, enabling the user to interpret the installation how they see fit—a place to sit, stand, lean, lay, set up a laptop or have a quick meal on the go. Finally, Theory’s matching cube seat joins the line as a strong supporting element, signaling a transition between transit zones and the surrounding landscape, or serving as a single seat and additional functional surface.

With a strong and cohesive graphic quality, Theory’s elements enable transit systems to play a larger role in helping define visual identity of municipalities and the brand experience of different campus settings. "The line has obvious applications for public transit settings like bus stops, train stations, and airports,” says Klinker. “But Theory also makes sense for a wide variety of other applications on corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, educational settings, hospitality centers and public parks.”

Theory shelters can be specified with roof and wall panels composed of either tempered safety glass or metal finished with Landscape Forms’ proprietary Pangard II^® polyester powdercoat. For installation, shelters must be embedded. Theory thick and thin bench systems and cube can be specified with either solid or perforated seats, are available with or without skate stops, and can either be embedded or surface mounted for installation.

Learn more about Theory​. 

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Furniture designer, artist, and educator, Scott Klinker heads the graduate 3D design program at the renowned Cranbrook Academy of Art as Designer-in-Residence, where he also received his MFA in 1996. After gaining experience as an in-house designer at Sony/Ericsson, and as senior staff at IDEO – Klinker ventured to Japan in 1999 to lead a product design program at the Kanazawa International Design Institute and founded his independent studio, Scott Klinker Design. His practice strikes a balance between industry projects and cultural projects, working with design-driven clients including Herman Miller, Alessi, Steelcase, Landscape Forms, Burton Snowboards, and others. Scott has been featured in Newsweek’s annual ‘Design Dozen’ selection of best new designers, has won a Silver Award in the lighting category of the International Design Awards, and has served as juror for the Industrial Design Excellence Awards hosted by the IDSA among numerous other accomplishments. As an active agent in education, culture and commerce, Scott Klinker is building new works, connections, and discussions to inspire design culture in America and abroad.

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