ARPER INTRODUCES

Mixu

Category: Seating

mixu_arper — Design in collaboration with Gensler, 2021

Quiet in form and near endless in possibilities, Mixu is a sustainable and versatile collection of chairs and stools that can be completely customized to suit the needs of any context, environment, or desire.

This three-part system of seat, backrest, and base can be personalized with myriad color and texture combinations to create a silhouette whose softly rounded geometric curves and minimal gesture create a perfect canvas for material expression. Playful or sophisticated, demure or vibrant, polished or plush, it’s all in the selection—it’s all in your mix.

“The goal was to create a plastic chair that would accommodate a wide range of contexts.”
Gensler Studio

The Mixu system is available in a range of material components for almost limitless design expressions. Seat options are available in post-industrial recycled plastic, FSC certified wood, fabric, or leather finishes. Seats can be combined with backrest options in a plastic, fabric, or leather and four-leg bases in either metal or FSC certified wood. A stool option with the same size seat as the chair offers generous comfort for hospitality or contract use. The Mixu system was designed with sustainability in mind and can be shipped disassembled to reduce its volume and carbon footprint. Mixu can be completely disassembled for correct disposal, making this dynamic collection a materially conscious system throughout its life cycle.

From the onset, we knew that designing for disassembly was going to be a major driver for Mixu. Even though we like to think our products will last forever, the reality is that people move, parts break, things change. We wanted to create something that could be taken apart with just a few screws and be fully broken down accordingly. The design then becomes more sustainable because it can be responsibly recycled or restored. This weighed heavily into how we designed and engineered the back to seat connection, as well as the wood leg to metal frame connection. We also considered the materials themselves and utilized post-industrial recycled plastic, FSC certified woods, and a robust and durable plastic that extends the life of the chair to reduce waste.