Ecological Design
Ecological Design
With the Ecodesign Directive of 2005, the EU introduced the environmentally sound design, also known as ecodesign or eco-design, of products. The aim of the directive is to improve environmental compatibility, energy efficiency and the product life cycle in order to contribute to the European climate protection goals. Manufacturers and designers should rethink the consumption of energy and resources from the selection of raw materials to the use of the items and their disposal. The directive was improved in 2009 when binding minimum requirements for products were laid down.
Eco-design in the cycle
Eco-design is intended to pave the way for more sustainability - the best waste is the waste that is not produced in the first place when the material is used in the cycle. Methods and strategies will become even more important for climate protection in the future. Ideally, every product should be managed in a closed loop. Product design is the center of the recycling economy, so that products and materials can be used as long as possible. Ecological and sustainable design is already practice in many companies. There is a lot of potential for the development of designer furniture in this area.
Eco-Design and the customer
We buy what we like: That's why the evaluations and attitudes of potential customers towards ecological products are decisive. The BMU (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety) regularly deals with this complex of issues. The key to sustainable consumption is good products that are more durable, of higher quality and more attractive - also in terms of design.
Recycling and office chairs
An example of thoughtful eco-design is the Vitra MedaPal office swivel chair with or without lumbar support, which is ecological by its very timeless design and comes with a 10-year guarantee. The office chair itself consists of 35% recycled material and is 94% recyclable. It is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality certified (strict limits for chemical emissions) and bears the Blue Angel eco-label, which identifies particularly environmentally friendly products.
Classic and durable - the Thonet company
The classics in the pro office store also belong to the long-lasting products. The historic coffee house chair has been manufactured from bentwood in a traditional process and consistent quality since 1850. Legend has it that a chair survived its fall from the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In the meantime, there is a large selection of Thonet chairs in numerous variations. The Thonet company has made holistic and sustainable action its flag, the ability to recycle is checked with every new design and the electricity is obtained exclusively from sustainable energy.
Classic and durable - the Fritz Hansen company
The Fritz Hansen company is also committed to ecology. The master joiner Hansen started in 1872 with a small workshop in Copenhagen, which is now a large furniture factory. Tubular steel constructions and steam-bent wooden furniture went down in the history of design as "Danish Design". Especially Arne Jacobsen, created extraordinary product lines, like the series 7™ and seating furniture like "the egg", the "swan" or the "ant". Fritz Hansen uses wood from sustainably managed forests. Chrome, which is naturally present in the environment, is used to extend the life of metals. The polyurethane foam (PUR) is foamed with the help of water. Foam waste from Fritz Hansen is 100% recyclable.
Modern classic - the USM Haller company
The USM Haller furniture system guarantees high quality standards, suppliers from Europe and modern, energy-efficient production methods. The cladding elements are powder-coated solvent-free and tabletops are sealed with environmentally friendly lacquers. Chrome makes the surface of the metal wear-resistant and durable. This longevity results from the quality of the materials, the timelessness of the design and the variability of functions. Furniture from the system, which was developed to series production readiness in 1969, looks like new even after decades.
Newcomer and durable - the company Muuto
Muuto (Finnish: "New Perspective") was founded in 2006 and can be considered a newcomer among design manufacturers. The two founders, Kristian Byrge and Peter Bonnén, now have over 50 designers under contract. Some furniture made of wood, accessories made of recycled material, like the Muuto Restore storage basket made of recycled PET bottles, and accessories made of glass, like the Elevated Vase by the famous designer Thomas Bentzen, have already found their way into the pro office store.