Andy Clark

The Cooler Bench

Context: In an office environment, water coolers are the traditional place for quick breaks, office gossip and informal idea sharing. People benefit from social interaction with co-workers, and the chance to step back from the more controlled aspects of office life.

Problem: Create a seating device which challenges the office space and allows for more personal and less formal conversation.

Solution: Introducing a bench with a built in water cooler, to the office break scene.

Brand Strategy: The Wilsonart sample chip icon is placed where it has a high contrast against the rest of the bench. As a tap or switch to initiate the flow of water, it also becomes a key element of the function and forces the user to interact with it. This reinforces the Wilsonart brand in a visceral way.