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OVO Chairs by Foster + Partners for Benchmark

Dezeen Showroom: Foster + Partners has collaborated with British furniture maker Benchmark to create a trio of carbon-negative chairs using European oak and American walnut.

Crafted using solid wood, the collection comprises an armchair, a stackable side chair and a lounge chair.

The chairs are place around a circular table
The side chairs can be used in office settings

The chairs combine simplicity and warmth, offering staple furniture pieces that can be used in both residential and commercial environments.

The lounge chair has a deep, generous seat with armrests that have been widened to support a cup or even a laptop, while the armchair is available with tactile, pillowed armrests for added comfort.

The lounge chair has wide arm rests
The chairs are finished with softened edges

The stackable side chair has a pared-back, lightweight design that can be stored easily and used within multipurpose spaces such as dining spaces and lecture halls.

OVO chairs are available with a timber or upholstered seat that can be customised in a range of soft leathers.

The chairs can be stacked
The side chair was designed to be stackable

Environmental product declarations (EDPs) have been published for the entire collection, showing the lifetime carbon emissions of the products.

When made from only timber, all three chairs are carbon negative since the trees they were made from stored more CO2 throughout their life than will be emitted by the manufacture, distribution and expected use of the chairs.

The all-timber chairs are carbon negative

"The only meaningful statements on sustainability are those that can be measured and verified," said Benchmark founder Sean Sutcliffe.

"EPD data helps customers make informed and objective sustainable choices."

Product: OVO chairs
Designer: Foster + Partners
Brand: Benchmark
Contact: [email protected]

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More images

Seats can be fitted with a cushioned seat
The chairs next to other items from the collection
The chairs can be used in a formal setting
The chairs can be stacked