Nomos represents the beginnings of industrial design within Foster + Partners. In 1981, when the practice expanded into a new studio, no existing furniture system could provide tables that might be adjustable for meetings, drafting or display. The outcome was a custom-designed table, made in a small production run by a sympathetic workshop. Modified versions of this table were used in the Renault Distribution Centre, in Swindon, in the reception areas, offices and restaurant. The Italian furniture manufacturer, Tecno, subsequently commissioned the practice to develop the design.
Nomos (a Greek word that means 'fair distribution') is conceptually based on the relationship between the user and the space they occupy. With its characteristic splayed feet, the desk is evocative of the Lunar Landing Module, or a grasshopper with its thin body and slim legs. Utilising its stable frame, the system can accommodate shelves, storage, screens, lighting and signage - an assembly governed by the ergonomics of the human form, seated or standing. The Nomos table and Nomos system has been manufactured by Tecno since its introduction in 1986. During this long and successful production period, the table and desking systems have evolved into new products and been launched in a series of new finishes.
This limited-edition approach continued in 2013 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first collaboration between the studio and Tecno. A new Nomos table was produced for an exhibition in Milan, exploring the use of contemporary materials to update a design classic. The special edition includes new finishes to the iconic Nomos frame and surface. The square table features black chrome legs and a Delphi marble top, and a circular inset in the corner integrates the Flo table light.
