Vestre launches GLADE at ASLA – a pergola bringing shade into public space
Vestre is expanding its portfolio with GLADE, a new pergola designed by Norwegian furniture designer Allan Hagerup. The product is designed to provide shade in large, open urban spaces while bringing them down to a more human scale.
GLADE's open structure defines a place without enclosing it. Overhead slats filter the sunlight and cast a shifting pattern of light and shadow across the ground throughout the day, while shaped aluminum surfaces catch and reflect light differently depending on the sun's position – almost like a sundial.
"Outdoor furniture, to me, represents a meeting point between people, nature, and architecture. As a designer, I let this relationship inspire the form, materials, and quality of the products," says Hagerup, who previously designed the DIALOG series for Vestre and received the DOGA Award for Design Excellence in 2010.
Two geometries for different urban spaces
GLADE is available in two versions: a rectangular design that follows existing architecture, pathways and grids, and can be arranged in rows for consistent shade coverage across larger areas – and a pentagonal version intended for freer, more organic compositions, where multiple structures can be grouped into clusters and combined in two different heights for a more sculptural expression.
Regardless of geometry, the intention remains the same:
"The intention has always been that it should primarily create space, not take up space," says Hagerup.
Developed with the full lifecycle in mind
Behind the simple expression lies a carefully considered industrial system. GLADE is built around custom-developed aluminum profiles created in collaboration with Hydro Extrusion, while the cast corners and connectors were developed together with Østlandske Lettmetall in Elverum. The extruded profiles use recycled Hydro CIRCAL75 aluminum, while the cast components are made from 100% recycled aluminum.
The product is also designed for repair and material circulation – individual components can be removed and replaced without requiring the entire structure to be discarded.
GLADE provides approximately 30% shade, comes in three roof material options (Linax, Kebony or aluminum), and can be powder-coated in over 200 RAL colors. The product suits a wide range of outdoor environments – from public squares and parks to schools, workplaces, restaurants and residential areas.
GLADE will be presented for the first time at ASLA on September 18, and will be available for pre-order from that date.