by Brianna Crandall — June 15, 2020 — Design-focused contract furniture manufacturer Keilhauer just introduced its first-ever carbon-neutral chair, Swurve. The lightweight, comfortable conference chair not only supports sustainability goals such as LEED certification, but also is versatile enough to both encourage collaboration and meet social distancing requirements as conference rooms continue to change functionality.
Designed by Andrew Jones for Keilhauer, the new conference chair features flowing lines and contained proportions. An elegant solution for meeting spaces of all sizes, it brings an organic feeling into the room with distinctive, sculptural design details, says Keilhauer, proving that great design and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Keilhauer’s first carbon-neutral chair, the sculptured Swurve conference chair with hidden ergonomic supports can respect social distancing needs while encouraging collaboration. Image courtesy Keilhauer
As Keilhauer’s first carbon-neutral product, Swurve has been a project of passion for the company’s Design for Environment team. Keilhauer says it took every possible step to reduce carbon emissions: from sustainably sourcing materials, and responsible manufacturing, to a carefully thought-through end-of-life and recyclability plan. Where carbon emissions remain, such as during transportation, Keilhauer is investing in carbon reduction and climate change mitigation projects to offset. Verified by third parties, every Swurve sold will produce net-zero carbon emissions, says the company.
A natural solution to multi-use meeting rooms
Since the early days of open-plan offices, the functionality of conference rooms has continued to evolve. What was once a space for formal discussions has become a space for one-on-ones, team get-togethers, working, brainstorming, connecting, eating and more. As workplaces today slowly reopen and employees return to the office, these rooms will serve an even more critical role as one of the few enclosed, private spaces available to a staff concerned with social distance and physical barriers.
Swurve is a refined, dynamic solution that can respond to all the varied requirements these spaces need to meet. Lightweight, comfortable, and carefully scaled, Swurve can easily be moved and rearranged to create an area that respects physical distance while encouraging collaboration.
Furthermore, the expansive color offering makes the conference chair versatile enough to complement any color scheme. From gentle neutrals to bold, statement-making hues, Swurve is offered in 22 different colors of mesh and is also offered in leather and leather alternative upholstery for environments with increased sanitization needs.
Swurve’s distinctive, sculptured form reflects shapes found in nature. Graceful, swooping arms gradually change thickness and shape as they subtlety twist out from the chair’s body. Connecting behind the chair’s body, they appear to grow organically from the seat, says Keilhauer.
The round, curvaceous feeling of Swurve is both a byproduct of Canadian designer Andrew Jones’s method, and his intention. “Soft, round shapes not only feel great for chairs, they connect with people on an emotional level. Swurve softens up the workplace with sitting and visual comfort,” says Jones.
Built-in ergonomic design
The chair’s clean lines are achieved by meticulous engineering and ergonomic supports that are hidden from sight, says the company. Tension between the mesh back and frame provides lumbar support while Keilhauer’s patented syncro-tilt mechanism provides smooth movement when leaning and moving in the chair. Swurve’s signature arms gently slope down to prevent contact with tables while adding an intriguing design detail.
Sustainability
Swurve is said to be built from high-quality materials, is designed and manufactured to last for many years, and is supported by Keilhauer’s standard 10-year warranty. Swurve is expected to carry BIFMA level 2 and SCS Global Services certification for Indoor Air Quality at the Indoor Advantage Gold level. It is manufactured in facilities that produce zero waste to landfill and offset 100 percent of electricity use with renewable energy credits.
Swurve’s environmental footprint is reviewed by a third-party Lifecycle Assessment conforming to ISO 14044 with a cradle-to-gate scope. These results will be made publicly available in summer 2020.
Swurve is available for specification as of June 15, 2020. For additional details about the Swurve carbon-neutral conference chair, visit the Keilhauer website.
Founded in 1981, Toronto, Ontario-based Keilhauer manufactures seating and tables that are thoughtfully made to support communication and engagement in spaces such as meeting rooms, collaboration areas, lobbies and lunchrooms. Working with world-renowned furniture designers, Keilhauer is internationally recognized for award-winning design, high-level craftsmanship, and meeting environmental standards.
