FURNITURE & INTERIORS A Sturdy Solution
We take a look at how Pineapple Contracts, specialist in furniture for challenging environments, responded to a client brief to create a product suitable for a potentially destructive environment.
When an NHS trust adult mental health unit approached Pineapple Contracts with a problem, work began on a product that would provide a solution without compromising on aesthetics. The client in question, at the time, was having significant issues with a patient who was “very destructive and intolerant of furniture in the dining area.”
Pineapple’s product development team set to work on a product that could withstand the rigours of a mental health environment whilst contributing to an upliſting atmosphere which would make mealtimes calmer and safer for service users and carers.
Discussing how the team approached their client’s challenge, Jayne Shawcross, Pineapple’s Head of Marketing, said: “Items of furniture designed for challenging environments typically need to fulfil many more functions than their domestic equivalents. As well as providing comfort and being able to withstand normal wear and tear, they may also be subjected to vandalism, used to self-harm, to facilitate suicide, to create weapons or to stash contraband.
“Naturally, high importance is given to these requirements during the design stages, but oſten at the expense of aesthetics, which can result in a utilitarian and “institutional” appearance. We knew right from the start we didn’t want to lose form over function, we really wanted to develop a piece of furniture that would look good.
“We believe in the power of healing spaces and that safe doesn’t need to mean bland. We feel that healthcare environments should be stimulating, vibrant and exciting places.”
Taking this philosophy into the design process, the design team worked very closely with their client to create a piece of furniture that would make mealtimes happy times by removing the option of using furniture as a means for disruption.
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From the design process, emerged an extremely strong and resilient dining table, called the “Ryno” table. Designed with users in mind, the strong and striking design is made from two pieces of damage- resistant rotationally moulded plastic. It can be heavily weighted to ensure lack of movement, rounded corners provide added safety measures and the cruciform base reduces conflict between users which can be caused by kicking under the table.
As well as offering increased safety and durability properties, the table has an anti-bacterial, fire-resistant and water- resistant surface and is manufactured in a palette of therapeutic colours to suit most interior design schemes.
On completion of the product, the client, who can’t be named due to the sensitive nature of the project, reported that: “It was indestructible and heavy - our service user was unable to move it very far or tip it over because of the design. She was certainly unable to break it. I would highly recommend this product for environments where there are extremely challenging and destructive patients. It would be a more economic investment for a service rather than having to make frequent replacements.”
The result was a clear success. The customer’s problem had been solved, mealtime anxiety was significantly reduced, and service user and staff safety addressed.
“We looked at alternative materials but longevity and durability would have been very difficult to achieve with a material such as wood or composites. We especially wanted to avoid designs that would require multiple components
which could be disassembled. We found that plastic not only offered an affordable option but one that would provide design flexibility, wear well and meet the brief by being indestructible. In fact, the only attention it requires is a wipe with a soapy cloth,” continued Jayne.
The Ryno table became the catalyst for the creation of a revolutionary range of safe furniture called the “Ryno” collection. Behind the Ryno range's vibrant colours and sleek designer aesthetic lie a host of safety features, which make the products uniquely suited to challenging environments.
The innovative new series of strong but strikingly stylish furniture from Pineapple Contracts offers excellent safety and durability properties, it offers patient choice through extensive personalisation. With 11 therapeutic chair colours combined with upholstered seat and back pads, there are hundreds of possible combinations.
www.pineapplecontracts.com www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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