With Circus, designer Thor Høy challenges the traditional bench.

Design built around people

Designer Thor Høy is the man behind out-sider’s new product family, Circus.

With more than 20 years of experience in materials and production processes – combined with a deep understanding of human needs, behaviour, and climate – Thor works with a holistic approach to design, where function, aesthetics, and sustainability go hand in hand.

His work spans across disciplines – from product design, lighting, and furniture to jewellery, and now urban furniture.

“To me, it doesn’t make sense to stick to just one type of design. A piece of jewellery can easily inspire a lamp or a piece of furniture. I’m always thinking about what else a design could become,” says Thor Høy.

His design philosophy is rooted in the nordic tradition – simplicity, clean lines, and high quality – but with a twist of humour and life.

“Nordic design can be beautiful, but sometimes a bit self-serious. I like to add a sense of humour and playfulness to my designs,” he explains.
“Good design strikes a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability – that’s what I strive for in everything I create.”

Since 2016, Thor Høy Studio has collaborated with a number of international brands and companies, creating designs that combine craftsmanship, innovation, and curiosity.

From tabletop to cityscape

The idea for Circus arose – somewhat unexpectedly – from something as simple as a pencil holder.

“I saw a pencil holder divided into different levels, and that sparked the idea. I made a small model of an urban piece where different concrete elements could be combined,” explains Thor.

Thor has known Ib Mogensen, founder and CEO of out-sider, for more than ten years and has pitched design ideas to him on several occasions. This time, Ib didn’t hesitate – the idea got the green light.

The result is Circus: a product family that – like everything else from out-sider – aims to bring life to urban spaces and connect people in new ways.

“I wanted to challenge the traditional bench where you only sit facing one direction. Circus invites movement, dialogue, and new perspectives. Its shape is round, open, and dynamic – like a small urban space in itself,” says Thor Høy.

The Perfect Name

“Life in the city is a real circus. People of all kinds rush around with their own agendas, and unexpected meetings and fun moments happen all the time. My hope is that Circus will help people meet, talk, and interact – across ages and backgrounds.”

About Circus

With Circus, out-sider introduces a flexible and dynamic product family that invites people to pause, connect, and be active in the city’s spaces.
The family consists of circular modules that can stand alone or be combined in various heights and formations.

The soft shapes and flexible structure make it possible to create everything from intimate green oases to open urban spaces with room for community and movement.

Circus is designed circularly from start to finish – made from recyclable materials such as polyethylene and HPL – and offers the option to integrate green elements like plants, bushes, and trees directly into the furniture.

“It’s my first time designing urban furniture, and the scale has been larger than anything I’ve worked with before. The collaboration with Out-sider – and especially with Ib – has been fantastic. He’s been a constructive and truly engaged sparring partner,” says Thor Høy.