Design for longevity

The cylinder in the office chair recently broke, which means it can no longer be adjusted and seat has sunk to its lowest level. The result is a very uncomfortable sitting position, which is not good for posture and health. What to do? Buy a new chair?

Obsolescence is designed into most of our products: flat screens, electric toothbrushes, CD players, MP3 players, toys, games, mobile phones. They all go down a one way street into landfill, incinerators and down-cycling. None of them can be repaired or upgraded. The new iPhone will last us two years and we are already looking forward to the next and more exciting model. 

Sure – the electronic products will go into recycling. The regulations are now strict and we are good citizens. Some of the design icons we might even keep as they are beautiful and they evoke wonderful memories, but they will become dead items on a shelf or in a drawer though the material will last for much longer.

Longevity has been designed out of most of our products. They are for the day and the season and move along with the fashion.

Charles Eames designed thhise task chair in 1958. It still looks contemporary and appropriate for our spaces. Some people might even think it is a little bit too modern and progressive. Our model is 15 years old and has acquired a patina, which makes it even nicer. The cylinder can be replaced for £50 and there is at least another 15 years left in the chair.

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