Ecological Design Principles
“A poor and superfluous product will remain poor and superfluous, even if it’s produced in an ecologically friendly manner”.
Dr. Jochen Hahne, Wilkhahn president
In accordance with our design guidelines, we at Wilkhahn incorporate the product life cycle into the product development process from the very beginning. Every product is designed to meet the highest standards for durability and usability while consuming only a minimum of energy and materials. Three decades ago, we developed binding principles for the environmentally conscious design of our furniture, taking into account material selection, reparability, disassembly, and recycling. Today, our guidelines for design management and product development are based on the criteria of the “Federal Ecodesign Award,” which were established by the Federal Environment Agency in collaboration with the International Design Center Berlin and the Öko-Institut in Freiburg.
Three important factors
The world’s population is growing and people justifiably want a share in the wealth created. Therefore, strategies that are only concerned with the ecological quality of products are heading up a blind alley. Since the first half of the 20th century, less is more has been a design goal. The famous Ulm University of Design’s founding manifesto back in the early 1950s already indicated the direction of travel. Its aim was: “... to develop durable products, increase their utility value and reduce waste”. Three factors govern how long a product will last. Firstly, perfect functionality that’s still up to date many years later. Secondly, high-quality, user-centric design, materials and surfaces that stay impressive for as long as possible. And thirdly, a design language that transcends short-lived fads and appeals to both people’s hearts and minds.
Pioneering innovations
Our central question is: How can we improve people’s lives in the long term by designing their living and working environments? At the start of a new development, therefore, the focus is not on the new chair, but on better seating; not on the new table, but on fostering communication; not on the new sofa, but on relaxation. Or on human connection. Or on informal communication. Innovations at Wilkhahn are therefore the result of a meticulous development process that begins by truly rethinking things in new and better ways to identify what is missing.
Durable quality
Wilkhahn’s almost proverbial quality has made the brand a success internationally: dimensional accuracy, precise fit, and surface quality convey perfection and make the product’s value tangible. When selecting materials, we consider various requirements. These include availability, technical performance, and cost, as well as the proportion of recycled materials and the potential for future recycling. Recycled materials are used wherever they meet the design and functional requirements of the respective product. Intelligent design principles support the repairability and “upgradability” of the products.
Timeless, attractive design
Wilkhahn’s design language typically gets to the heart of the matter, conveys the product’s natural aspects and ease of use. The integrative design concept lends products a transparent, attractive and consistent look. The products harmonize with all sorts of backdrops without dominating them. In other words, a Wilkhahn product can accompany its owner a life long because it doesn’t become boring, lose functionality or its aesthetic appeal.
