BP 12: Good Design for All

Good Design For All

Emeco's new Navy 111 chair represents an object that embodies good design for all. The chair was originally commissioned by the US Navy in 1944 with the main requirement being that it could withstand a torpedo blast while on a ship. Originally made from aluminum, it was designed to be functional and comfortable and comply with the Navy's requirement of durability; in fact many of the original chairs are still around and in very good condition.

The Navy 111 in aluminum

The chair is in current production,in collaboration with the Coca Cola company, made from recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate, or plastic bottles. Changing the production material from aluminium to recycled bottles is definitely good design for all, as new technologies were required to develop and manufacture this chair and that development had an economic trickle-down effect. Extensive technology had to be developed and tested to insure the project's success. Additionally, retooling was required for the plants in which these chairs are manufactured which led to new people being hired and trained to use the new equipment. Best of all, manufacturing the chairs from rPET could potentially re-purpose up to 3 million plastic bottles per year!

Collaboration between Emeco and Coca Cola~rPET

The chairs are visually attractive and contemporary, and maintain their original functionality. The chairs are available in a variety of vibrant colors and can be used outdoors as well as indoors. The property of good design for all of these chairs goes way beyond their appearance and functionality; the economic and environmental impacts of this design prove just how good the design is for all. The good design for all aspect of this chair is so strong that people who may not even know the chair exists are positively impacted by its creation, in job growth and reduction in recyclable material in landfills.

Plastic bottles