The Bit Stool is a perfect example of how a utilitarian piece of furniture can be as beautifully designed as any other item in the home. This humble object may seem simple at first glance, but its pixelated surface highlights an eco-friendly production process and one-of-a-kind charm. Designed by Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen, the Bit Stool demonstrates how design, practicality and sustainability can come together to create exceptional home furnishings.
Danish Roots — with a Greek Twist
The Bit Stool was designed by Simon Legald, a young Danish designer who graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2012. Created for Normann Copenhagen, this stool represents just one of the many collaborations in Legald’s career thus far. Other notable creations by this young talent include the Porta and Phantom lamps and the Allez chairs. At Unison, we offer the Bit Stool as well as Legald’s trolley-like Block Cart and retro-inspired Analog Magazine Rack in Black and White colorways.
Despite its designer’s Danish origins, the aesthetically pleasing, cylindrical silhouette of the Bit Stool is actually inspired by the pillars and columns in Greek architecture. Those sturdy, stately designs influenced the simple and elegant aesthetic of the Bit Stool. The finished product has an updated, modern feel while still possessing the timeless quality of a sculptural column.
Making Every Bit Count
The Bit Stool’s distinctive, speckled appearance is created by colorful bits of recycled plastic, most of which is sourced from post-industrial waste. The plastic pieces are chopped into smaller fragments before being sorted by color. Once the correct colors are combined to create a Bit Stool in one of its defined colorways, the fragments are poured into one of the stool molds and then cast using a rotational molding technique.
The temperature applied as the stool is molded is a critical part of the production process. In addition to creating an accurate, smooth shape, it allows the recycled plastic to be repurposed for future use. If the mold were to become too hot, the plastic may be damaged to the point where it can’t be recycled again without altering the properties of the material. By maintaining a precise melting point of 120°C, the plastic bits can form a solid shape while still being suitable for repeated reheating, which makes it possible to recycle Bit Stools at the end of their lifecycle.
Besides minimizing the environmental impact of production, the use of recycled plastic fragments makes each Bit Stool utterly unique. No two stools are alike, each with its own pattern formed by the spontaneous alignment of plastic bits during the molding process.
Unlimited Applications
One of the most irresistible things about the Bit Stool is its impressive versatility. Though it’s strong enough to be used as an impromptu seat, the stool’s wide, flat surface also makes it an excellent choice for a nightstand, side table or bath stool. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the Bit Stool makes a useful plant stand or patio end table as well.
With three colorways available at Unison, it’s easy to find a Bit Stool that coordinates with your space. Choose the Bit Black Stool flecked with white speckles for a bold look, or enjoy a softer and warmer effect with the Bit White Stool’s clear and sienna speckles. To inject vibrant color into your home, go with the Bit White Multi Stool featuring an eye-catching array of white, red, blue, green, yellow, orange and black recycled bits.