This month’s “Products with Purpose” begins with a very unique product from Knit One, a modular seating system that redefines upholstery from the inside out.
Unveiled at Chicago’s NeoContrade show, the Knit One chair represents a groundbreaking approach to seating that challenges conventional upholstery methods through the use of 3D knitting. Paul Crofts‘ design for Isomi has achieved what was seemingly impossible: creating a chair that offers comfort while using dramatically fewer materials than traditional furniture. The secret lies not in what’s added, but in what is strategically removed. Knit One is a modular seating system that redefines upholstery from the inside out. Foam is replaced by air, as the chair is only made of two components: a metal frame and a 3D-knitted fabric cover. The product showcases the potential of 3D-knitting, an advanced manufacturing technique that allows for the creation of seamless, three-dimensional fabric structures that eliminate the need for traditional manual processes. The result is a zero-waste production method that significantly reduces material consumption, as well as only using recycled raw materials, which are in turn fully recyclable after this process.
Emeco‘s 1006 Navy chair has been built by hand from recycled aluminum in Hanover, Penn., since 1944. Around 90% of its product range is made from recycled materials and the company has pledged to keep improving. I have had these chairs for the past 30+ years and have no intention of replacing them. They are lightweight, easy to store if needed, and never go out of style!
Sustainability at Heller isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing journey. They have transformed how they think about plastic — today their furniture incorporates over 25% recycled content, sourced from post-consumer and post-agricultural waste. In partnership with Worry Free Plastics, they have infused their products with organic enzymes that remain dormant during use but activate in landfill conditions, transforming the material into nutrient-rich soil within three to five years.
