Kata

Arper’s first solid wood lounge chair, Kata takes inspiration from artisan-made wood and woven straw chairs and reimagines the near universal typology using contemporary, sustainable solutions in an expression that’s both graphic and warm. Kata finds form in juxtaposition—an evocative gesture in the movement between material presence and minimal silhouette, softness and strength, tradition and technology.

The Kata lounge chair is a union of traditional craftsmanship and soft technology. An oak and black locust FSC certified wooden frame supports a tailor-made 3D knit textile. The knit cover is created from recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic that is converted into durable and lightweight fibers. The knit technology is formed to fit the frame, avoiding leftover material waste found in traditional manufacturing. The unified seat and back structure is available in a graphic-patterned 3D knit with internal micro-padding in natural tones of linen, wheat, or charcoal, or a lightweight 3D knit in parallel striped pattern in a choice of colors: water, wheat, or charcoal – also suitable for outdoor use. Additional loose seat and back cushions finishes can be customized in both Arper's complete fabric catalogue and in graphic-patterned 3D Knit.

A circular perspective was the main driver of the collection from the very beginning. We selected the 3D knit technology for its sustainability value on a few different levels. From a fabrication lens, because of the knit structure, the 3D knit produces the exact amount of material needed for the chair – as opposed to a woven cloth from which you cut the pieces needed. This means that there is no excess of material produced or wasted. The 3D knit also produces the feeling of a padded foam cushion, reducing the overall material needed without sacrificing comfort. Furthermore, the 3D knit and filling are made of the same material, thus the whole seat can be recycled without need to separate the filling from the fabric.