upcycling et siège de bureau

The Swedish firm Kinnarps is specialised in the manufacturing of office furniture and complete workspace solutions. It is committed to sustainability and works to promote sustainable circularity. In this context, the French subsidiary, one of whose agencies is based in Lyon, sought to engage with Esad Saint-Étienne regarding the second life of office chairs.

Kinnarps initiated this approach in collaboration with local stakeholders to propose solutions for the reuse and recycling of its furniture pieces. To achieve this, the company relies on subcontractors and local partners in the Lyon region, aligning with a circular economy approach. After visiting Tizu, the first upcycled furniture factory in France, the students were invited to take part in technical workshops accompanied by three experts from Kinnarps. Recovered parts that could be used and modified for office chair design were inventoried before joining a creative workshop focused on 3D design, trends, and materials.

Exploratory study conducted by Frédéric Beuvry, Jean-François Dingjian, Rodolphe Dogniaux, Elen Gavillet, Grégory Granados, Christophe Marx and Marie-Aurore Stiker-Metral with the 4th and 5th-year students of the Design option, specialising in Object and Public(s).

Exploratory study conducted in partnership the Kinnarps company and with the support of the Tizu and Hervé Thermique companies.

Among the various seating designs created by the students, four were selected for presentation at the Biennale: Patch by Hélène Caffin Pinon includes elements attached with hook and loop tape so they can be replaced when the colour fades or the fabric is worn; Pansement by Augustin Collet proposes an integrated coat stand. The exhibition also features Nina Foncel’s Coquille organic chair and Ysé Domerg’s cloud-like Flouv chair. Additionally, five other pieces were selected for display at the headquarters of the Saint-Étienne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).