Blender 26 Aspect Furniture Autex Acoutics Habitat

Finalist
Credits
  • Pou Auaha / Creative Director
    Ashley Simmons
  • Ringatoi Matua / Design Director
    Oliver McDermott
  • Ngā Kaimahi / Team Members
    Alistair Patterson, Ian Milligan
  • Kaitautoko / Contributors
    Jonathan Mountfort, Luke Walker
  • Client
    Aspect Furniture
Description:

Habitat is a high-performing furniture system made from 100% sustainable and lightweight panels and seating modules. It can be assembled into a range of micro-environments to suit individual workplace needs, from focus pods to collaborative zones.

It was important that this system was modular, easy to assemble, space-saving, configurable, and sourced from sustainable materials to minimise its footprint - ecologically, sustainable, and spatially.

Our care and commitment to the planet, achieved through meticulous material selection, makes Habitat a light-footprint solution. Habitat panels are custom moulded from Autex Cube™ and contain a minimum of 60% previously recycled polyester fibre (from PET bottle-flake), which to quantify this, is up to 53, 600ml bottles per Habitat panel. For a whole pod, that's between 530 - 2500+ bottles.

All components are recyclable. The acoustic panels are thermally-bonded high-density polyester containing not less than 60% recycled material. The desktops and seating modules are customised to suit and available in recyclable timber and fabrics such as the Camera Oceanic range which is made from plastic ocean waste. The aluminium connections, foam on the seating, and supporting plywood structure are also recyclable.

Habitat has removed the usage of industry-standard MDF and fabric-wrapped forms. Through a new molding process that forms acoustic panels into rigid wall sections, including a crimped track that slides into aluminium rails to create a micro-environment. The simple kit of parts can be taken away or added to without any machining, just add additional panels, upright members, and your preferred accessories. This approach to the designed solution with shared components and reduced materials minimises waste and materials.

Habitat has been designed to capitalise on space so that you can add more panels, change configurations or relocate easily with no fuss. The light-weighted materials mean it is an easy-to-carry, reconstructable kit of parts. Habitats' shared wall ability reduces material content whilst still retaining flexibility and adaptability.

Manufactured locally which has an impact on the local industry and the end-user as they get premium products quickly and reliably and it reduces the impact of shipping. The lightweight and modular nature of the design also has benefits for packing and transportation.

Certifications for wall panel material;
EPD – compliant with ISO 14025 and ISO 15804
Declare – Red List free (third-party verified)
ISO 14001 Certified Environmental Management
Health Product Declaration
CDPH Standard
The manufacturing is under Aspects ISO 14001 accreditation.
Pending a GECA certification

Habitat collaboration began with a pursuit of something better, not only for the user but better for the environment and healthier workplaces. With sustainability and product end of life in mind, Habitat is lighter in footprint and will avoid ending up in landfills. It is estimated that 100,000 office furniture assets are put into landfills each year in Australia alone so by providing an alternative system that can cater to a range of settings and that will be recycled, we will contribute to a better future and reduce this significant impact in our sector.