Set in the heart of Railtown, design studio Bensen’s Vancouver headquarters reflects the same understated, design-forward ethos that has defined the brand for more than four decades.
Founded in 1981 by Niels Bendtsen—who also established Inform Interiors in 1963—the company has grown from a local design studio into a globally recognized furniture brand, now sold in more than 50 stores worldwide. While manufacturing has since moved to Italy, the creative pulse remains firmly rooted in Vancouver.
Since 2023, Bensen has been centred in this light-filled space, designed by Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects + Designers (OMB). The office and showroom are connected by a striking mass timber bridge—a fitting architectural gesture in a neighbourhood known for its industrial heritage and evolving design scene.
Step into reception and the brand’s Scandinavian sensibility is immediately apparent. Clean lines, soft palettes and thoughtful proportions define the space, anchored by a selection of Bensen’s signature chairs. Among them: Bendtsen’s iconic 1975 Ribbon chair, which earned a place in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap the office, framing Railtown’s colourful shipping containers alongside sweeping views of the North Shore mountains and downtown skyline.
A 3D printer allows the team to prototype and refine proportions in real time, while a central wall displays a grid of historical reference chairs—a quiet nod to the lineage behind each new design.
Across the bridge, the showroom—completed in 2024—brings the brand’s full offering into view, from its down-and-foam sofas to its bestselling seating. The space is shared with Inform Interiors’ kitchen division, which supplies kitchens, closets and bathroom systems to residential projects across the Lower Mainland and Pacific Northwest.
