The Herman Miller Aeron Chair was designed to be a comfortable and durable work chair. It is also 94 percent recyclable, easy to disassemble and repair, and has many replaceable parts. Informed by extensive research on ergonomics, function, anthropometrics, and sustainability, the chair adapts to different body shapes through the specially woven seat and back material, the Pellicle. This suspension material conforms to the body and provides balanced support by relieving pressure points. The patented Kinemat tilt mechanism lets joints pivot naturally. The chair is Cradle to Cradle silver-certified, GreenGuard certified, and can contribute to LEED certification.
The Walker Textures™ Nuance custom and stock patterns are now available on etched or unetched glass, increasing immensely the design possibilities. With continuous research and development on their acid etch process, Walker Glass achieves a high-quality registration and a high level of detail. Virtually any pattern required by the marketplace can be made. All Walker Glass products are made using only North American glass substrates. The acid-etched products are available in a wide range of thicknesses, varying from 3 to 19 millimeters (0.12 to 0.75 inches) on glass and 3 to 6 millimeters (0.12 to 0.23 inches) on mirror, and in sizes up to 254 by 366 centimeters (100 by 144 inches). All of these products are also available in various colors, such as Starphire® ultra-clear glass by PPG, clear, bronze gray, black, green, and blue.
Duravit and The Geberit Group have partnered to offer wall-mounted toilets with concealed, in-wall tank carriers. The toilets feature dual-flush actuators and use only 1.1 blended gallons (4 liters) per flush. The in-wall tank carrier offers a clean and modern aesthetic without visible piping. The height can be customized to sit between 15 and 19 inches (38 and 48 centimeters). Easy to clean, and can save up to 2 square feet (0.2 square meters) of space in the bathroom. Supports up to 880 pounds (400 kilograms). Designers of Duravit wall-mounted toilets include Philippe Starck (pictured: Starck 3 model), Norman Foster, Sieger Design, among others.
3M introduces 3M™ Fire Barrier Duct Wrap 615+, a new lightweight, thin-profile insulation product that provides up to two hours of fire protection for grease and air ventilation ducts. Made from an advanced ceramic fiber wrapped in scrim-enforced foil, the duct wrap is lighter and thinner than previous 3M offerings and meets the new ASTM E2336 fire test requirements. Installed around ducts, it creates a fire-resistant barrier that maintains the duct integrity and helps prevent fire from rapidly spreading throughout a building. Fire-barrier wraps are an alternative to conventional gypsum wallboard shafts and other stiffer, bulkier wrap systems.
Dow Building Solutions offers the Thermax™ Wall System for greater energy efficiency in commercial steel stud buildings. The system provides a continuous thermal barrier that insulates both the wall cavity and the steel studs, and moves the dew point from the within wall cavity to the exterior. Finished with spray foam on the interior wall cavity, the system meets NFPA 285 fire code and IBC requirements for continuous insulation, air barrier, and water-resistive barrier. High system R-value (between R-9 and R-24) can contribute to LEED credits.