Sustainable, flexible, sophisticated – discover Arper’s 2021 collections

Mixu, designed in collaboration with Gensler, and Kata by Altherr Désile Park bring function and aesthetic together in elegant solutions.

Lightweight in form and environmental footprint and designed with circular sustainability at its core, Kata is Arper’s first solid wood lounge chair, taking inspiration from artisan-made wood and woven straw chairs, creating a union of traditional craftsmanship and soft technology.

Sustainability in Kata was not an afterthought for Arper and Altherr Désile Park, but rather a core impetus for the design itself: an oak and black locust FSC certified wooden frame supports a tailor-made 3D knit textile, created from recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic that is converted into durable and lightweight fibres. The knit technology is formed to fit the frame, avoiding leftover material waste found in traditional manufacturing.

Not only does this mean that there is less plastic going into landfills, the process also uses much less energy than producing virgin polyester and supports the recycling system by providing yet another commercial application for recycled goods.

Kata uses hardwood timber from certificated FSC production with a water-based varnish – ensuring the longevity of the product.

Quiet in form and near endless in possibilities, Mixu is a sustainable and versatile collection of chairs and stools that can be completely customised to suit the needs of any context and environment.

This three-part system of seat, backrest, and base can be personalised with myriad colour and texture combinations, available in a range of material components for almost limitless design expressions. Seat options are available in post-industrial recycled plastic, FSC certified wood, fabric, or leather finishes, and can be combined with backrest options in plastic, fabric or leather. A stool option with the same size seat as the chair offers generous comfort for hospitality or contract use.

The backrest and seat’s upholsteries and the polyurethane foam padding are attached with no glue or stapling, allowing for easy replacement thus extending the life of the product. Plus, the steel metal base is made with up to 70-percent recycled steel and finished with a powder-based coat – free of VOC* emissions.

Like Kata, the Mixu system was designed with sustainability in mind and can be shipped disassembled to reduce its volume and carbon footprint and can be completely disassembled for correct disposal – making these dynamic collections a materially conscious system throughout their life cycle.