CHICAGO —Allseating is showing the newest version of its Exchange Collection, designed by Nick Gillissie in collaboration with Allseating, Exchange is a modular soft seating system that responds to the demand for furniture that supports both active work and relaxation in today’s constantly evolving corporate, education, and healthcare environments.
“The Exchange Collection was designed with simple, but powerful intent: flexibility,” says Nick Gillissie, Founder of Nick Gillissie Industrial Design. “The first Exchange collection was about the needs of the moment, but the latest version of Exchange is about the needs of the day. The 21st-century end-user does not want to be tied down by restrictive design—they want the freedom to set up spaces that are useful, elegant, and interchangeable. Exchange is not just a place to sit, but a destination with everything needed to comfortably work for an extended period of time. The first collection provided the building blocks, but this second collection provides the functionality.”
Designer Carl Gustav Magnusson with his debut of the Zinc stool at Allseating showroom at NeoCon 2018.
Also debuting is the Zinc Collection, Allseating's second collaboration with iconic industrial designer, Carl Gustav Magnusson. Characterized by a visually inviting shell, elegant and unique legs, and carefully considered details, Zinc is a timeless seating solution for institutional, commercial, and indoor/outdoor settings.
When conceiving Zinc for Allseating, Magnusson says he strove for a visually simple chair that would not only look proper as a standalone, but also grouped in larger settings. Zinc’s classic elegance is a direct result of Magnusson’s design philosophy - to “avoid style, as that inevitably falls out of style.” Immune to the passing trends, Zinc is a classic in nature, considerate and ergonomic.
“Style is the antithesis of design; it comes in and goes out. Our intention remains to create elegant and ergonomically correct seating solutions that are classic, yet simple in appearance,” says Magnusson, who is founder of Carl Gustav Magnusson Design. “We created a product that exemplifies ‘timeless’ while simultaneously providing comfort, whether you are seated for five minutes or five hours.”
Zinc was designed with the intent of providing comfort to both short-term and long-term users. Available in 14 different colors, its single shell incorporates a sinuous curve, which reinforces the natural seating position, and an optional looped arm available for additional support. The shell is complemented by
multiple base offerings, including a standard four-legged base; a sled base; and a wooden quad pod.
“Carl’s technical skills, paired with an unparalleled spirit for design, continues to inspire us,” says Gary Neil, CEO of Allseating. “Zinc is exemplary of Carl’s dedication to creating products that are designed for long-term use—both in durability and aesthetics.”
The Exchange Collection is an achievement in both aesthetics and engineering. The first of its kind on the market, the system is comprised of just seven injection-molded plastic components and a series of support rails, which allow the user to create 2,725 possible configurations to fit various space requirements or preferences. From single chairs, to banquettes, to open-plan collaborative enclosures, companies can adjust the system to suit the ever-changing needs of their employees. Exchange’s understated modern aesthetic, as well as its versatile sizing, allows for visual and functional continuity between soft seating applications across the board, from reception to cafeteria.
Exchange is strategically designed to account for future additions to the system. In concepting the injection-molded plastic core, Gillissie thought to include spaces not yet necessary, but that will serve a valuable purpose in future workplaces as styles continue to evolve. Exchange enhances its ability to fit seamlessly into a variety of office schemes with its latest additions, which include laptop tables available in 16 paint colors and 13 laminate options, and three additional leg offerings—walnut legs with metal accents, a chrome wire base, and chrome flat bar legs. Additionally, Exchange has expanded to include 36-inch tables and power-enabled 120-degree tables to support serpentine configurations.
For more than 30 years, Toronto-based Allseating has been a leader in the design and development of solutions that adjust to the needs of customers in the office, educational, hospitality and healthcare industries. Its 100,000 square foot facility in Toronto is home to a broad line of seating solutions. www.allseating.com
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