From idea to product. Designing Scandinavian furniture

Alexander Gifford BEng MA(RCA)

Product range

Education, office and Care

Design PhilosophyPlaces user at centre of all product development

• In Sweden the wellbeing of workers has traditionally had much importance placed on it.

• Understands the impact of demographic shifts and the importance of designing products that include users of all abilities.

• Product development is routed in detailed researchAffordable ergonomics– Lower cost of well designed ergonomic solutions– Reduce costs that don’t add to the product

• Logistics• In sourcing• Materials• Economies of scale

Understand range of work styles across the world

Design Philosophy• Minimise environmental impact

– Power consumption– Logistics– Packaging– Efficient production– Materials

ObjectivesCreate work place furniture that is:• Responds to changes in the workplace • Helps the client to evolve their organisation• Ergonomically viable• Environmentally soundMore "quality" for personal area. A highly functional workstation on less space.

The assortment, research and development team

European Product

Managers

Product AssortmentManagers Prototype

Design engineer

Design engineer

Design engineer

A, R&D Team

Researchers & Experts

Conceptual designers

*

*

Projects

Recent Projects

Bench for

Bench for• Modern variable density bench• Overcome ergonomic issues• Fit with Arup global needs• Low environmental impact

13

Laminate

14

Lamine™ (white)

1. Beech lipping2. Chip board3. Water laquer (white)4. 1 layer of filler5. White ceramic laquer6. 2 layers of filler7. 2 layers of colour (white)8. ’Egg shell’ finish

1

23

6 4578

15

Amount of CO2 from productionTotal (kg CO2/m2)

For production of surface layer

8,3

0,65 0,42

0123456789

Laminate Lamine TM Veneer

Kg C

O2

/ m

2

Dufalite

Structures and frames

Cable management

Storage

Bench F

ArupLondon2008

Future developments

Cubicle sofa idea

Brief• Create soft spaces for people to have informal meetings in open plan areas• Same functionality as meeting room• Reduced logistic costs• Do not copy competition!