Teknion, in collaboration with Pearson Lloyd, has launched Aarea, a family of chairs that unites the concept of circularity and the simple reality of human needs. Aarea is made with minimal components and materials.
The first introduction is a conference chair composed of five parts including a tubular steel frame, a 3D textile knit, an upholstered seat cushion, recycled plastic arm pads and a recycled aluminum star base. Aarea’s mélange mesh back is a bespoke knit that uses retrieved marine plastic to minimize virgin materials and waste.
Developed over the course of two years, the flexible 3D knit weaves in elastomeric textiles to give it longevity and help keep its shape. The chair back conforms to the shape of every body through the inherent tensions in the knit.
The chair is designed and engineered as separate parts that come together to form a single unit. Aarea breaks down into individual components, recognizing that wear and tear to various parts happen at different rates. This design approach allows the chair to be serviced when needed and supports repairing the product rather than throwing it entirely away; ultimately increasing its lifespan. However, at the end of its lifecycle, all of the components can be recycled, effectively reducing the product’s carbon output.
