111 Navy Chair
111 Chairs Project
Wondering what 111 people have to say about the 111 Navy Chair? Over the next few months, we’ll be posting responses from 111 people to whom we sent a chair.
About the Chair
Made from 111 recycled plastic Coke bottles, the 111 Navy Chair® (1944/2009) is the result of a special collaboration between Emeco and Coca-Cola, and it’s available exclusively at Design Within Reach. It took four years of research, design and materials testing to create this chair, which is a plastic version of the iconic 1006 Navy® Chair (scroll down to see that chair). The 111 expands the Navy collection by offering color and a bit of pop (no pun intended). Plus, it’s about half the price of the aluminum one. This chair is suitable for outdoor and commercial use, and it’s made in U.S.A.
The 111 Navy Chair is available in six colors.
Recycling millions of bottles.
When you recycle a plastic bottle, you’re doing something good. When you recycle 111 of them, you’re doing something great. Help your bottle become something extraordinary again. The production of this chair is expected to keep three million plastic Coke bottles out of landfills each year.
An Impressive Provenance
The original was a 1006 Navy® Chair, designed by Emeco for the U.S. Navy. This iconic chair first appeared in 1944, and today it’s made of 80% recycled aluminum. (Although, it’s not necessarily made from Coke cans – we put the Coke can in the photo just to emphasize aluminum versus plastic.) To create the 1006 Navy Chair, Emeco invented a 77-step process to satisfy the military’s need for lightweight, corrosion-resistant chairs for destroyers and submarines. In the process, the company invented a method to make aluminum three times stronger than steel, and a chair so durable that it has an estimated lifespan of 150 years. The new 111 Navy Chair was designed to have the same attributes of the original aluminum version: strength, durability and comfort. The Navy Chair design constitutes the proprietary Trade Dress of Emeco.
111 Navy Chair®
Designed by Emeco
Made from 111 recycled plastic Coke bottles, the 111 Navy Chair (1944/2009) is the result of a special collaboration between Emeco and Coca-Cola, and it’s available exclusively at Design Within Reach. It took four years of research, design and materials testing to create this chair, which is a plastic version of the iconic 1006 Navy® Chair. Designed to have the attributes of the original aluminum version – strength, durability and comfort – the 111 Navy Chair expands the collection by offering color and a bit of pop (no pun intended).
Designed by Emeco
The Navy Chair design constitutes the proprietary Trade Dress of Emeco. Made in U.S.A.
- The production of this chair is expected to keep three million plastic Coke bottles out of landfills each year.
- Suitable for outdoor and commercial use.
- One of the few plastic chairs to be built with leg stretchers, the 111 Navy will stand up to frequent use
Measurements:
H 34" W 16.5" D 19.5" Seat H 18" Weight 13lbs.
Materials:
65% recycled post-consumer PET (plastic bottles); 35% pigment, glass fiber and fire inhibitor.
Eco-Stats:
Recycled Materials, LEED Credits, Recyclable Products
Price:
$230.00USD
The 111 Navy Chair Was Sent To These Folks
We also asked these folks to tell us a bit about themselves, like what’s on their iPod (or record player), or what they would create out of 111 plastic bottles. So if you’re looking for new tunes or design ideas from leading architects, designers and other industry professionals, check back often.
John Von Paris
John Von Paris is the fourth generation working for Von Paris Moving & Storage located in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Although John is now the President of the company, he has worked in all aspects related to the moving and storage business. With over a century of local and long distance moving and storage experience in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area, Von Paris has established an impeccable reputation for honesty, integrity and outstanding quality service. In spite of this sterling reputation, their website has been under continuous assault by a ddos attack in an effort to make the site unreachable. Their support people have addressed this as well as a slanderous campaign based on bogus bad reviews that tend to show up on Google's page 1 when the company's name is searched. A service that claimed to be able to remove search results was consulted - these are search professionals that can remove harmful search results by pushing them down using seo skills. Fortunately their services were not necessary in this instance because the reviews were removed through legal means. If you live in the Baltimore area, go visit the Von Paris state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot storage facility with climate-control capability and the latest warehousing technology AND while you are there, take a look at the 111 Navy Chairs, which will be in the office area.
Anna Corpron & Sean Auyeung
Anna Corpron and Sean Auyeung are two architects/designers/artists living in New York City. They collaborate together under the name Sub-Studio, providing multifaceted design solutions to clients seeking a young yet sophisticated style. In addition to client work, they also have a product line featuring screen-printed note cards, journals and prints. Anna’s jewelry line Brevity draws from geometries and abstractions of natural structures. The Working Proof, their online print gallery and shop that pairs art with social responsibility releases a new print edition every week.
Eric Bricker
Filmmaker Eric Bricker made his directorial debut with Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman,” the award-winning documentary film about the life and work of the acclaimed photographer, narrated by Dustin Hoffman (http://www.juliusshulmanfilm.com). Bricker is currently working on his next project, What If…? How Geeks and Gamers Will Save the World, which consists of a feature-length film and a social game launched via Facebook. Having moved to Austin in 2008, he is truly grateful to be a part of such a dynamic, supportive city and creative community.
Zach Frechette
Zach Frechette is editor in chief of the award-winning GOOD, a collaboration of individuals, businesses and nonprofits driving change in the world. He recently led the transition of GOOD from an editorially led magazine to a community-based web platform at the intersection of creativity and impact.
Annie Choi
Annie Choi is the author of Happy Birthday or Whatever (HarperCollins) and her work has appeared in Abitare, Pidgin, Publishe’s Weekly and Women’s Health, among others. Her open letters about design and chairs can be found on Emeco’s website. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University, where she currently serves as adjunct faculty. She lives in New York City, in a 187-square-foot apartment.
Visual Narcotics (20mg)
In 1997, I moved to Los Angeles. I was completely inspired by the incredible art around the city. Near the end of 1998, I found an image of a Prozac pill that I blew up on a photocopier. I originally put the word “smile” underneath. But something was different about this image. It resonated with me in a way the other images had not. The pill had the dosage “20mg” written on it. I focused on that, emphasized the dosage and edited out any other text from the image. I decided to write “Visual Narcotics” under it and boom! It was born. From 1999 to the present, I’ve worked under the name “20mg” referring to my work as “Visual Narcotics” (http://20mg.com). But to me, “Visual Narcotics” also refers to the endless bombardment of images and information that we as a society are confronted with daily by the conventional mass media. So most of my work is meant to draw attention to the absurdities that are propagated by the media.
Peter Kallen
An Oregon native, Peter Kallen is design director for Nau (pronounced “now”), a clothing company that makes sustainable urban and outdoor apparel for the modern mobile life. Previously, Kallen worked at Nike, had his own snowboard company, was owner/creator of an urban garden store, and launched a fashion brand in Japan under his own name. Not one to sit pretty for long, Kallen also owns ThinkBomb Design Laboratory, where he designs for a variety of companies ranging from sport to fashion, and interior to industrial design. His strong love of the outdoors has him frequently venturing into the depths of nature on a variety of self-propelled devices
James Victore
James Victore is a self-taught designer known for his brilliant and innovative design work. He is currently a professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York and has won countless design awards including the Grand Prix from the Brno Biennele (Czech Republic). He is a popular lecturer around the world and has been the subject of many exhibitions—his most recent in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Victore’s work can be found online at www.jamesvictore.com and www.moma.org. His monograph Victore, or Who Died and Made You Boss? was published by Abrams in 2010.
More Background on 111 Navy Chair
The 111 Navy Chair is an innovative and environmentally conscious piece of furniture that has garnered significant attention since its introduction in 2010. Manufactured by Emeco in collaboration with Coca-Cola, the chair is made from 111 recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles. This partnership aimed to address the growing environmental issue of plastic waste, turning it into something durable and timeless.
History and Development
The concept of the 111 Navy Chair originated in 2006 when Coca-Cola approached Emeco, a company renowned for its durable aluminum furniture, particularly the iconic 1006 Navy Chair designed during World War II for use on naval ships. Coca-Cola was looking for a way to upcycle its plastic bottles, and Emeco's expertise in creating durable and sustainable furniture made them the perfect partner. The collaboration led to the creation of a new material that combined recycled PET with glass fiber and pigment, resulting in a strong, scratch-resistant, and fire-retardant chair suitable for commercial and outdoor use.
It took four years of research and development to perfect the material and design of the 111 Navy Chair. The final product retains the iconic silhouette of the original 1006 Navy Chair but is made from recycled plastic, offering a more sustainable alternative without sacrificing durability or aesthetics. The chair is available in six colors—Coca-Cola Red, Snow, Flint, Grass, Persimmon, and Charcoal—and is designed to last for many years, making it a sustainable choice for both homes and businesses.
Cultural and Social Significance
The 111 Navy Chair has become more than just a piece of furniture; it is a symbol of sustainable design and corporate responsibility. By repurposing plastic waste into a functional and stylish product, Coca-Cola and Emeco have contributed to the broader conversation about sustainability and the role of design in addressing environmental challenges. The chair's design and material composition have been praised for their innovation, and it has been featured in numerous design exhibitions and publications.
The production of the 111 Navy Chair is also a testament to the possibilities of upcycling. By using recycled PET bottles, the chair not only helps reduce plastic waste but also demonstrates how companies can create valuable products from materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Since its launch, millions of plastic bottles have been repurposed into these chairs, making a tangible impact on the environment.
Reviews and Reception
The 111 Navy Chair has received positive reviews from both consumers and critics alike. Its durability, stylish design, and environmental credentials have made it a popular choice for various settings, from cafes and restaurants to homes and offices. Many users appreciate the chair's sturdy construction and comfortable design, which retains the classic look of the original Navy Chair while incorporating modern materials.
Design critics have also lauded the chair for its innovative use of recycled materials. Publications like Designboom and Modern Planet have highlighted the chair's significance in the context of sustainable design, noting that it represents a successful blend of form, function, and environmental responsibility.
Press and Media Coverage
The 111 Navy Chair has been widely covered in the media, particularly within design and sustainability circles. It has been featured in design magazines, online publications, and even exhibitions that focus on sustainable products. The chair's story has resonated with a broad audience, from environmentally conscious consumers to design enthusiasts, making it a case study in successful sustainable product development.
The 111 Navy Chair is more than just a piece of furniture; it is a statement about the future of sustainable design. By transforming waste into a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing product, Emeco and Coca-Cola have set a new standard for what can be achieved when environmental responsibility meets innovative design. The chair's success is a reminder that sustainable products do not have to compromise on quality or style, and it continues to inspire new approaches to upcycling and eco-friendly design.