Herman Miller Classic Gets Green Revamp
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany on 02.20.07
Lately, a lot of design classics are getting green makeovers. Take for example the Swag Leg chair, designed by the legendary George Nelson and released in 1958. As a part of its company-wide environmental commitment, furniture manufacturer Herman Miller is now offering this sleek throne in environmentally-sustainable recyclable polypropylene, instead of molded fiberglass. That opening between the seat and the back? Keeps air circulating, and prevents Swag Leg from sticking to you. The chair gets its name from the method used to produce its adjustable steel legs, a.k.a. swaging, or using pressure to taper and curve a metal tube. Available in white, and soon black and gray for about $380. Fabric on the seat and back can be switched up for a contrasting effect. Also green from Herman Miller: The Leaf LED light, the Eames Lounge, the Mirra chair, and the Aalto chair, among others. ::Herman Miller
Image courtesy of Herman Miller
It's a shame the polyproylene isn't recycled. Recycleable funiture doesn't make much sense because most people get rid of it before it useful life in it's current form is over. Add to that the fact that in the US at least there is no widespread recycling of polypropylene and that the ide aof throwing a $400 chair into the recycling bin might not sit well with too many people.
In a way, this is a kind of greenwashing. Making durable goods out of recyclable but not recycled material does very little to reduce landfill. It would be far beter to find a use for all those recyclable PET soda bottles out there.
does anyone know where the desk is from?
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mb: that's part of the Swag group (also through Herman Miller) Check out:
http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/0,,a10-c440-p227,00.html