Designing with Freedom and Flexibility -
Thoughts from the Designer Frans Schrofer
Freedom and flexibility are crucial for creating standout pieces in the design world. At Mekrapid, we ensure our chair swivels perform smoothly while offering designers the creative freedom they need.
This commitment is exemplified by the renowned designer Frans Schrofer, founder and CEO of Studio Schrofer, who created some of his furniture designs with Mekrapid's chair swivels. In this feature, Schrofer shares how Mekrapid’s swivels enhance both the form and function of his chairs. Discover how this collaboration contributes to creating dynamic and engaging seating solutions.
Why Mekrapid Chair swivels?
"My furniture designs feature fluid lines and light, buoyant constructions. I use Mekrapid mechanisms that provide the greatest amount of design freedom while providing the greatest flexibility in movement."
"Easy mobility when sitting at or leaving the dining table"
"The Mekrapid Piccolo auto-return mechanism is incorporated into my MAPLE dining chair and AVIA lounge chair for Bert Plantagie. These two designs have proven to be very successful commercial models. The MAPLE dining chair design provides easy mobility when sitting at or leaving the dining table. AVIA provides ultimate maneuverability when entertaining or leisurely sitting at home."
"Dinners are for Dialogue, and My Dining Chairs Have a Lot to Say"
"My wife and I entertain regularly, often hosting dinner parties. I am a stickler for details. A well-set table is defined by not only the right tableware, flatware, and glassware, but the table has to have dining chairs ready to welcome guests. For me, the appearance of a dining chair, especially from the back, is the visual appetizer welcoming guests."
"When dining chairs are aligned, uniform in color, and face forward, they unconsciously communicate to guests, “You ready to eat?" Cause we are!”. Our dinner parties are quite interactive, so the swivel mechanism is ideal. Guests need to easily get in and out of their chairs to change positions, especially when dialog turns into debate. The zero-return point communicates, “Come sit here.” Dining chairs that don’t swivel to a return point appear careless, clumsy, and seemingly abandoned. Dinners are for dialogue, and my dining chairs have a lot to say."
Frans Schrofer
CEO, Founder
STUDIO SCHROFER
New Features Created from Collaboration and Expertise
Success is built on knowledge and the ability to view things from new perspectives.
At Mekrapid, we know how to make a chair swivel durable in many perspectives. Our collaboration with designers and product developers worldwide provides Mekrapid and our technical department with explicit knowledge about market needs and the importance of flexibility in our chair swivels.
Many new features in our swivels have been created in cooperation with designers. A smart swivel should offer designers endless possibilities rather than limitations. It must ensure a chair performs impeccably throughout its lifespan and provides users with effortless mobility and interaction.
A smart swivel should give the occupant of a swivel chair easy mobility and interaction with others. As Frans Schrofer, CEO of Studio Schrofer, says “Dinners are for dialogue, and my chairs have a lot to say.” Just imagine the vibrant atmosphere around a fest- or meeting table with swivel chairs, compared to the same table with fixed chairs!
Modular Production System for our Swivel Models
Using the long experience Mekrapid has in product- and production development, we have built a modular production system for our swivel models. Therefore, all our swivels are designed to match this production system, allowing us to customize small and large quantities for customers.
We offer our customers individual technical support for our product solutions, implementation advice, and advice for production efficiency. Mekrapid swivels are versatile and designed not to be seen, and Your specific needs have our full attention.
We offer our customers individual technical support for our product solutions, implementation advice, and advice for production efficiency. Mekrapid swivels are versatile and designed not to be seen, and Your specific needs have our full attention.