Fifteen years ago we established the Arper Environmental Department, our tentative first step as sustainability was emerging as the critical issue of our generation. The first act is accepting responsibility: we are part of the problem. We all are. Such a declaration demands a response: We’re designers, we engage problems, let’s start to design a responsible way forward.
The economic, intellectual, and practical considerations implied by the seemingly-simple term sustainability are overwhelmingly complex, but design is a process for engaging complexity. We begin by acknowledging that while we have more questions than answers, we come with diverse expertise and experiences. The more we share our challenges, the more opportunities we create for collective learning and insight. We apply the intelligence gained through ongoing, open dialogue to innovate new processes and products that reduce the environmental impact of material extraction, handling, manufacturing, shipping, use, and recycling.
It's not easy. There is no simple solution. It's a slow, meticulous process, a series of minor accomplishments in the face of the overwhelming climate crisis. But the enormity of the problem, and the dire consequences of inaction, demands a relentless vigilance and an unwavering commitment of time, skill, resources, and ideas. We accept our responsibility and pledge to be part of the solution.
The recycled polyester used is made from post-consumer plastic. Roughly 1-kilo of waste — or about 48 half PET bottles — is used to produce 1-kilo of yarn. The process supports the recycling system by providing yet another commercial application for recycled goods.
Kata’s base is made from hardwood timber wood from certificated Forest Stewardship Council® production.
The varnish used on wood is water-based.
At the end of its life cycle, Kata can be entirely disassembled and recycled. Recyclable plastic and lightweight cardboard, made without glue, are used for shipping.
Seat is available in post-industrial recycled plastic. The backrest and seat’s upholsteries and the polyurethane foam padding are attached with no glue or stapling, allowing for an easy replacement and extending the life of the product.
The steel metal base, made with up to 70-percent recycled steel, is finished with a powder-based coat — free of VOC* emissions (*Volatile Organic Compounds) — so to reduce environmental impact. Gliders are entirely made of recyclable plastic.
The wooden version is Forest Stewardship Council® certified.
Mixu can be completely disassembled for correct disposal, making this dynamic collection a materially conscious system throughout its life cycle.
|
Recycled Materials, Post-Industrial |
53% |
|
Recyclable Materials |
> 99% |
|
Disassembly |
> 99% |
|
FSC® |
 |
|
Greenguard Gold |
 |
|
Recycled Materials |
22% |
|
Recyclable Materials |
> 90% |
|
Disassembly |
> 90% |
|
Carbon Footprint (CO2 eq.) |
16,4 Kg |
|
Water Scarcity Footprint |
9,07 M3 |
|
Percentage Recycled Materials |
80% |
|
Percentage Recyclable Materials |
> 99% |
|
GECA |
 |
|
Greenguard Gold |
|
|
EPD |
 |
|
Carbon Footprint (CO2 eq.) |
16 Kg |
|
Water Scarcity Footprint |
5,51 M3 |
|
Percentage Recycled Materials |
34% |
|
Percentage Recyclable Materials |
> 99% |
|
GECA |
|
|
Greenguard Gold |
|
|
EPD |
|
|
Carbon Footprint (CO2 eq.) |
16 Kg |
|
Water Scarcity Footprint |
3,25 M3 |
|
Percentage Recycled Materials |
70% |
|
Percentage Recyclable Materials |
> 99% |
|
GECA |
|
|
Greenguard Gold |
|
|
EPD |
|
| Red Dot Product Design Award | 2013 |
|
Carbon Footprint (CO2 eq.) |
8,49 Kg |
|
Water Scarcity Footprint |
14,9 M3 |
|
Percentage Recyclable Materials |
> 99% |
|
GECA |
|
|
FSC* – Wood Version |
|
|
Greenguard Gold |
|
|
EPD |
|
|
Carbon Footprint (CO2 eq.) |
25 Kg |
|
Water Scarcity Footprint |
11,9 M3 |
|
Percentage Recycled Materials |
29% |
|
Percentage Recyclable Materials |
> 99% |
|
GECA |
|
|
Greenguard Gold |
|
|
EPD |
|
Design Philosophy
We design to improve relationships, including the most important one of all: humanity and our natural world. From the beginning, we have worked to strengthen this relationship through a principled approach to craft, embodied in our design ethos: the pursuit of the essential. We design durable, timeless furnishings, intended to transcend trend and serve diverse purposes over their extended lifetime. We value lightness and simplicity, aiming to reduce materials to a minimum. Our modular approach to construction reduces production complexity and creates opportunities for disassembly and component recycling. Finally, we weave soft technology, the subtle integration of intuitive ergonomic features, into every design, emphasizing natural interaction and improved functionality. Each of these is evocative in their own right of the minimal impact and intelligent design strategies essential to sustainability.
Industry Standards and Initiatives
"For the past fifteen years, we have used certifications as a measurable track record of our efforts. Simultaneously, we perform comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments on our products to ensure that they adhere both to industry standards and our own internal benchmarks. With these learnings, we analyze and share the implications of our products before they go into production. Transparency is paramount. We all deserve to know how much each product impacts the environment."
Recycling
Sustainability is an exercise in both aspiration and practicality. Through our core design principles we maintain the practical aspects of environmentally responsible creation–recyclability. Where possible we integrate new recycling methods into our work and offer products made in part from recycled materials. We design new products with an eye for end-of-life disassembly, because we know that when products can be taken apart, they are easier to recycle. We understand that recycling represents only a piece of sustainable action. That’s why we work every day to find better end of life solutions for our products.
Partnerships
Working with like-minded partners is integral to our process. Through close collaboration with designers, architects, academic institutions and organizations, we have been able to share our questions, insights, and expertise with each other. We recognize that we don’t have every answer, but when we join forces, we get closer to reaching our collective sustainability goals.
Sustainability in Kata was not an afterthought on process, but rather a core impetus for the design itself. The result is a marriage of traditional craftsmanship and modern processes with a reduced environmental footprint.
We believe that resilient design enriches the human experience and can usher in a new era of global wellness through the built environment. Mixu is Gensler’s first collaboration with Arper and has been created with sustainability goals in mind.
ISO 14001 is the family of international standards that serve as the foundation of our environmental management policy dealing with water, energy, waste and carbon footprint
The Forest Stewardship Council® certification guarantees responsible forest management and maximum traceability of our wood products.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) assess impact via transparent, comparable data, giving customers the power to make informed decisions.
International EPD® System under the Swedish Environmental Management Council for some version of the collections: Catifa 46, Catifa 53, Duna 02, Babar, Juno, Stacy.
Greenguard Certification
Greenguard certifies that our products meet chemical emissions limits for healthy indoor air quality. Greenguard Gold’s stricter criteria ensure our products are safe for education and healthcare spaces.
Greenguard Certification for the seatings of collections Aava, Arcos, Aston, Babar, Catifa 46, Catifa 53, Catifa 60, Catifa 70, Catifa 80, Catifa Sensit, Catifa Up, Colina, Cila, Cila Go, Duna 02, Juno, Kiik, Kinesit, Leaf, Loop, Masai, Norma, Palm, Pix, Saari, Saya, Sean, Steeve, Zinta.
GECA Certification
(Good Environmental Choice Australia)
The Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) ecolabel is one of the most rigorous, internationally-recognized certifications, signifying high sustainability performance.
GECA Certification (Good Environmental Choice Australia) for Leaf collection and Juno, Catifa 46, Catifa 53, Palm, Saya, Duna02, Ginger, Gher, Aava only for polypropylene, polyethylene and wood shell versions with aluminum and painted bases
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