terna stool

brief

to design a seat no larger than 450 × 450 × 450 mm, that can be picked up, moved, and used to activate various public spaces across london.

enemy

stool design is often treated as scaled-down chairs, when in reality their role in public spaces is simple: to offer a brief perch before you move on.

proposal

made in london from solid european beech wood, the terna stool reduces the low café stool to three essential components: a round seat and two matching legs. the circular seat conveniently allows for the user to sit at any angle, while a central cut-through handle makes it easy to grab, position and sit.

Sketchbook open showing early concept sketches for the Terna Stool by London industrial designer Joe Slatter.

Sketchbook open showing early concept sketches for the Terna Stool by London industrial designer Joe Slatter.

Steam-bent beech legs of the Terna Stool held in a jig during glue-up in London workshop, part of the furniture prototyping process.
Pair of beech wood legs for the Terna Stool prototype being assembled by London furniture maker James Trundle .
Single leg of Terna Stool on a woodworking bench, showing craftsmanship and detailing during the fabrication process in London.
Terna Stool furniture prototype photographed in studio, showing circular seat and simple curved beech legs designed by London industrial designer Joe Slatter.
Front view of the Terna Stool prototype, minimalist café stool design made from solid beech wood by Studio Enemy in London.
Side view of the Terna Stool prototype, minimalist café stool design made from solid beech wood by Slatter in London.
Lower half of figure seated cross-legged on Terna Stool, demonstrating comfort and utility of the minimal café-style design by London furniture designer Joe Slatter.
Animated GIF showing exploded view of Terna Stool’s three-part assembly - circular seat and two legs connecting magnetically for easy flat-pack design.

terna

the name 'terna' comes from the latin word for 'three', reflecting the stool's three essential components.

assembly

the stool has been designed to be simple to assemble. the two legs are fixed together with 4 x m5 screws, after which magnetic caps snap neatly into place to conceal the fixings.

Close-up of hand assembling Terna Stool, placing magnetic cover over screws to demonstrate easy tool-free construction, designed for disassembly by Joe Slatter.
Terna Stool shown on its side revealing underside graphics reading “Terna Stool by Joe Slatter, handmade one of one prototype”, London furniture design.
Hand holding 1:6 scale model kit of the Terna Stool, Airfix-style construction toy designed by London industrial designer Joe Slatter for Design Everything exhibition.
Luton van loaded with emerging designers seats travelling across London for Design Everything’s “A Seat at the Table” exhibition, showcasing work by Joe Slatter of Studio Enemy.
Close-up of van door graphics explaining Design Everything’s travelling exhibition featuring the Terna Stool by London designer Joe Slatter at Shoreditch Design Triangle.

launched at: a seat at the table touring exhibition in the back of a van, design everything, london, 16th-21st september 2025

Female model holding Terna Stool by the handle, standing facing away from camera; minimalist furniture design by London industrial designer Joe Slatter for Design Everything.

design: joe slatter    |    maker: james trundle    |    photography: guy lockwood

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