In 2016, Studio 17 and ARCC Innovations looked to create a product that celebrated the spirit of collaboration which permeates our affiliated businesses. After some deliberation, the design that was chosen was a pair of bespoke coat stands. One of which would sit near Studio 17’s office in Cambridge, and the other at ARCC Innovation’s London office; acting as twin physical symbols of this exciting and enduring partnership in British design.

Taking inspiration from the oak staircase at the London office, it was decided that the coat stands would use the same wood, and pair oak’s natural longevity with the computer-driven machining capabilities at ARCC. As this was a special ornamental project without traditional commercial constraints, aluminium was chosen for the stand’s functional parts, providing an unrivalled feeling of solidity, longevity and as a striking metallic contrast to the oak.

Overall, the coat stand’s main components are compromised of two lengths of turned oak, a base and two rings with accompanying collars machined from aluminium. The top ring, joined to the collar by a single arm, offers six hanging hooks made from polished stainless steel. They fit flush to the ring and can be smoothly pivoted down for use by pushing a discrete area on the hook. They can also be folded away neatly when not needed, and have hidden screws behind them which allow access to, and removal, of the hook assemblies for maintenance. Additionally, the middle ring allows the coat stand to hold umbrellas and, thanks to the concave base, retain the rainwater which might otherwise wet the floor.

Fully lacquered and hard anodised, the wood and metal components give a satisfying feel when touched and maintain an attractive sheen across the whole coat stand. This sleek impression is promoted by the coat stand’s circular profile; with the smooth curves of the three aluminium parts complementing that of the turned oak. Studio 17 and ARCC Innovations’ engineers worked through several rounds of machining to find the process which gave this optimum finish.

Indeed, other than a small ARCC decal on the top of the coat stand, there is a deliberate lack of embellishment; the simple circular visual style allows the combined effect of the contrasting oak and aluminium to take centre stage. For example, the metal rings give a halo effect thanks to minimalism of their supportive single arms. To the same aesthetic, much care was taken by the engineers to keep the coat stand’s fittings out of sight. This was also behind the decision to make the hooks stowable.

The coat stand’s minimalism allows the product to fit in many different interiors, and the longevity of the oak and aluminium mean it will physically endure for years to come without dating.

As a symbol of collaboration, it is just one of many projects that Studio 17 and the engineers at ARCC Innovations have since worked on together. For more information on Studio 17 and their award-winning products, visit their website. Both Studio 17 and ARCC Innovations also welcome those who wish to visit the site to discuss potential business opportunities or for general inquiries.

The ARCC Coat Stand: A Testament to Collaboration