One glance at the innovative office furniture range and it’s not hard to see why. With its sleek angles and intuitive design, this is a statement range that achieves exactly what it set out to do.
Over the course of the past nine years, the Relic Collection has defined our take on contemporary furniture design. Its subtle blending of aesthetic appeal with functionality meets the evolving needs of users in a way that had rarely been achieved before—and despite the industry’s best efforts, has struggled to be matched since.
Going further, our design team also shows no signs of stopping. With the upcoming launch of our latest addition to the recognisable range – the Relic Social – we’re introducing an innovative furniture design that promises to harmonise adaptability and collaboration in the workspace. Join us as we explore the journey of Relic and how it arrived at where we are now.
From Concept to Design: The Origins of the Relic Collection
The Relic Collection began with a clear goal: to create timeless office furniture that addressed the pain points of customers seeking greater flexibility in their workspace. Simple to say; another thing altogether to achieve. So, how did we get there?
To begin with, David King looked at the simplicity and functionality of the classic trestle table: a familiar, efficient design recognised the world over. However, initial efforts to create variations of this shape proved difficult. Our earliest concepts were too straightforward, dull, and failed to achieve our goal.
But then David had a breakthrough. With the introduction of a subtle 45-degree twist to the framework, the design suddenly stood out from the crowd. The shape was unique yet recognisable; still had that distinctive trestle but with an added touch of contemporary style. The earliest concept of the Relic was born.
Blending Aesthetics with Functionality
With the aesthetics settled, the design team moved on to consider functionality. We wanted the Relic to be more than a table that simply looked the part; it had to deliver real, tangible benefits to the workspace.
We began by integrating features that addressed modern office needs, such as cable management, modular configurations, and customisable finishes. Every element was scrutinised to ensure it enhanced the functionality of the furniture without compromising its visual appeal.
One particular design point was the use of a telescopic framework. This idea was nothing new or revolutionary in itself, but it gave this contemporary furniture an incredible level of flexibility. Every component of the Relic collection is interchangeable: parts can be swapped out with ease, allowing for endless customisations. What’s more, it means the Relic can effectively last a lifetime, with components being replaced or recoated when required.
The overall result? The Relic table is an innovative office furniture design that allows businesses to create spaces as dynamic as the people who work within them.
Taking Relic Further
What good is a table without chairs, accessories, and everything else needed to create a cohesive environment? While it would have been easy to rest on our laurels, our vision was to design a full suite of contemporary office furniture. Following the success of the original Relic, the range has therefore continued to evolve with each passing year, incorporating customer feedback and addressing emerging requirements in office design.
Relic Benches & Stalls
One of the first offerings in the Relic range, our seating options continue our approach of simplicity and style. Using asymmetric upholstery techniques, the benches and stools provide all-important comfort, but also the visual interest that goes hand in hand with the Relic collection. This design came at a time when the industry wasn’t doing much with upholstery techniques, but we were keen to find a style that complemented the appeal of the table system.
Relic Cloud
Having debuted as a concept piece at Clerkenwell Design Week, the Relic Cloud introduced an emotional connection to our product range. The canopy system creates a sense of intimacy and focus, allowing biophilia and lighting options to be incorporated into the Cloud’s innovative design. As a true collaborative workspace, its grounding effect has been a key inspiration for the upcoming Relic Social.
Relic Cloud Compact
We followed up on the Cloud with a slightly more condensed model: the Relic Cloud Compact. This design was refined to work in smaller spaces, offering a reduced footprint while maintaining the signature canopy system. The Cloud Compact is also available in split heights, enabling it to be used for both sitting and standing, and making it an ideal solution for a range of space-conscious layouts.
Relic Project Table
The introduction of the height-adjustable Relic Project Table marked another milestone, catering to the growing need for ergonomic and flexible workspace solutions. With the flick of a switch, discreetly hidden power cables allow the table to rise and fall, all without sacrificing any of the original aesthetics. What’s more, with an optional rechargeable battery, the Project Table offers full mobility without needing to be plugged in.
Along with other additions like the Round & Square tables and Credenza, these updates to the original Relic table have marked the collection’s expanded versatility and appeal.
Introducing Relic Social
Launching in January 2025, the Relic Social represents the culmination of our decade-long journey in innovative furniture design. This latest addition has been tailored to the needs of post-pandemic work environments, where we’ve seen a firsthand a growing need for collaboration, flexibility, and autonomy.
Fundamentally, Relic Social is designed to empower users to adapt their spaces. We’ve retained all the core elements of the original Relic table system, while introducing new functionalities that reflect the evolving day-to-day needs of users. With customisable screens, integrated power options, and a vast array of flexible configurations, this is a table that can seamlessly transition between collaborative and personal workspaces and even meeting areas.
This effectively summarises a key focus of the Relic Social: enabling the system to fit into different archetypes. Meeting areas require clear surfaces, accessible power, and a maximum of space. Collaborative zones need lines of sight and both fixed and personal power options. Even individual desks are possible, with the system built to be divided and subdivided to accommodate adaptive requirements.
Relic Social achieves all this, and what’s more, it achieves this without overlooking what made the original Relic special. We’ve kept the same benefits and features – the same colours, finishes, and size options – but delivered everything required for an adaptive workspace in one comprehensive system.
Our overlying aim was to bridge the gap between individual and team-oriented tasks. With the Relic Social, we’re pleased to be providing a solution that allows us to thrive in creative, dynamic environments.
The Future of Relic
So, what does the future of the Relic Collection look like from here? As ever, we’ll continue to be guided by the same three principles that David King provided when asked to describe the range: adaptability, customisability, and simplicity.
While we’re satisfied with what we’ve achieved so far, user trends and behaviours are always evolving. We’ll continue to evolve alongside them, providing innovative solutions that redefine what contemporary office furniture can be.
Discover more about the Relic Collection and its transformative impact on modern workspaces. Contact us at either our UK or USA showrooms for more information.