Modular seating system for public spaces focuses on wellness

North Carolina-based contract furniture company Here Now has introduced Tate, a new modular seating system designed with wellness, flexibility, and user comfort in mind. Emerging from a world reshaped by the pandemic, Tate is more than a product—it’s a response to how we gather, work, and connect in shared environments today. Though initially shelved in favor of other projects, the idea resurfaced as clients increasingly voiced a need for solutions centered on privacy and well-being.

Here Now founder Justin Champaign drew inspiration from New York’s High Line, the elevated park known for its abundance of seating that encourages connection while respecting personal space. With over 230 benches, the park became a reference point for how design can subtly support human interaction and comfort—principles that now underpin Tate. At its core, it is a modular “kit of parts” that includes cushions, base beams, and tables that snap together without tools—offering unprecedented ease and flexibility. Its patent-pending pivot connector allows pieces to link, rotate, or reconfigure fluidly. This system empowers designers to create countless seating arrangements, from solo nooks to collaborative clusters.

Designer: Here Now

Each unit—whether a backless bench, cylindrical stool, or high-backed sofa—is ergonomically designed to support diverse postures and movement. Integrated features like swiveling seat pads encourage natural motion, helping keep bodies energized throughout the day. Unlike traditional lounge furniture, which can be bulky and rigid, Tate boasts a compact footprint that works in tight or oddly shaped spaces—such as curving around columns or fitting into alcoves. Modules placed back-to-back promote subtle solitude, while side-by-side configurations encourage teamwork and idea sharing.

Thoughtfully engineered with a lightweight plastic frame and foam, Tate is fully recyclable and easy to disassemble. It also supports universal access: benches can be extended for more space, allowing better accommodation for wheelchair users and others with physical limitations. The system also includes different backrest options—high back, low back, or no back—with heights stopping just short of the shoulder. This design provides emotional security without isolating users from their surroundings.

Tate is available in a wide selection of Kvadrat fabrics through the company’s new graded-in textile program, offering endless customization for interior designers and architects. Whether you’re placing a stool in a university lecture hall or arranging curved benches in a hospitality lounge, Tate redefines modular furniture with its inviting shapes, playful palette, and human-centered approach. Comfort, flexibility, and wellness are no longer optional when it comes to furniture now. Tate sets a new benchmark for how furniture can transform public space. With a seamless blend of functionality, adaptability, and personality, Here Now’s latest offering invites us all to sit differently—and perhaps, to connect more thoughtfully.