What mode are you in? Ahrend joins forces with UNStudio to create ‘Remode’, the most sustainable task chair yet.

Ahrend and UNStudio are proud to introduce the highly sustainable, ergonomic and adaptable task chair ‘Remode’. Inspired by sneaker design, Remode is the result of a collaboration of Ahrend and UNStudio, one of the world's leading architects.  

The most sustainable task chair yet 

Ben van Berkel, founder and lead architect at UNStudio: “Ahrend asked us to design the most environmentally friendly task chair possible. It goes without saying that they wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing, but even more than that, it had to excel in terms of sustainability and ergonomics.” 

From the outset of the design process for Remode, both UNStudio and Ahrend were determined to make all their choices from a sustainable standpoint. The result is a chair that is not just made from highly durable and sustainably sourced materials, it is also incredibly lightweight and designed for disassembly. This means that individual components can be repaired, replaced and recycled to extend the lifespan of the chair and the materials. 

Rolf Verspuij, CEO Ahrend: “We felt it was important to develop a product that is not only produced sustainably, but is truly designed for circularity over multiple user life cycles. Extending the lifespan is ultimately the most sustainable way to use a product." 

The structural parts of Remode are made from the Envalior material Akulon® RePurposed. This innovative material provides outstanding mechanical performance and strength. By using this sustainable material the Remode contains 78% recycled plastics, of which 62% is recycled ocean plastics. 

Dannie van Osch, Business Development Manager at Envalior : Akulon® RePurposed is the game-changer in the industry. Not only for furniture, but also for other products. That the heart of the Ahrend Remode is made of this material, I would not have dared to dream 3 years ago. 

The netweave used for the seat and back is a strong self-supporting fabric that merges style, comfort and sustainability. It consists of 80% post-consumer recycled polyester and is Cradle to Cradle® Certified. 

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere 

The ways and places we work in today are becoming increasingly diverse. As such, Remode has been designed to be used virtually anywhere. Not just a chair for the office environment, Remode - which is currently available in the colours pink, black and grey - was designed to enrich any interior, be that a traditional office setting, a ‘third space', or at home.  

When is a sneaker not a shoe? 

Remode was inspired by sneakers. “Sneaker design is fascinating to me because it has to combine ergonomics, comfort, material innovation and aesthetics.” Says Ben van Berkel. “Sneakers signify activity, health and achievement. They enable us to perform to our best, yet still protect our bodies. But overall, they are the most versatile, comfortable and healthy item of clothing you can wear. I wanted to create a chair that had all of these qualities and more.” 

This inspiration is reflected in the design details, such as the accent colour control button, the smooth contouring, the colour choices and the netweave seating that reveals the mechanics of the chair. However, it is also found in the functional properties of the chair; in the ergonomics and the high comfort level.  

Remode meets the ergonomic standards to protect the body from repetitive strains, encourages good posture and reduces excessive stress on the spine. Alongside flexible armrests, the task chair features a synchro-movement mechanism that enables the seat and back to move smoothly together, promoting an active posture. As the control buttons are easy to reach from the sitting position and all of the features can be adjusted individually, Remode is extremely adaptable and enables a high level of customisation.  

Great effort was also taken to ensure the maximum comfort possible for the seating and the back support, for which there is a choice between netweave or upholstered cushioning, or a mix of the two. 

Ben van Berkel: “Remode is principally a task chair, but it’s so versatile and comfortable that it can be used for practically anything you need to do for any length of time while sitting. And we wanted to work with Ahrend because they are at the forefront when it comes to designing for the future. They do this by designing for disassembly, making sustainable material choices and refurbishing their classics. Everything they do focuses on extending product life.” 

Rolf Verspuij on the collaboration with UNStudio: “Ahrend and UNStudio share the same vision of designing with the future in mind. At Ahrend, we create vitalising workspaces, and sustainability plays a significant role in that. We are ambitious about sustainability and aim to set a new standard in the market for circular product design. Ben's vision on design, combined with our expertise in sustainable product engineering, was the perfect match for this ambitious project. I'm proud of all our colleagues who worked tirelessly on this project and found a way to truly create the next generation of task chairs.