PLC Tube: A chair designed for the repair economy
In an era where circular design is reshaping the furniture industry, PLC Tube by Pearson Lloyd for Modus Furniture stands out as a thoughtful example of sustainable innovation.
As sustainability becomes a defining priority in furniture design, products are increasingly being developed not just for performance and aesthetics, but also for longevity and circularity. PLC Tube, designed by Pearson Lloyd for Modus Furniture, is a compelling example of this evolving design philosophy.
Amid ongoing supply chain disruptions and escalating resource scarcity, the transition towards a circular, repair-based economy has become both a commercial and environmental imperative.
At Modus, the designers focusses on developing products that are designed to support the Repair and Circular Economy through design for disassembly strategies with efficient and responsible resource use. As much as possible, the designers utilise removable fixings instead of permanent glues so that the furniture can be refreshed, repaired, or reused.
Pearson Lloyd’s new design, the PLC Studio chair, is born of intelligent material choices, with a bias towards lower carbon materials, and a construction that makes it a great fit for the circular economy. Focusing on dematerialisation, repair and re-use, the design maximises the chair’s lifespan and minimises resource use. In an uncertain world, where supply chain disruption and resource scarcity are driving the shift towards a repair economy, design for disassembly is a key component in this transition.
What truly distinguishes PLC Tube, however, is its commitment to the repair economy. Rather than treating furniture as disposable, the chair has been engineered using design-for-disassembly principles. Components can be easily separated using standard tools, allowing worn or damaged parts to be repaired or replaced instead of discarding the entire chair. Upholstery covers are removable, making refurbishment and updates simple, extending the product’s lifespan while reducing waste and replacement costs.
The collection also reflects Modus Furniture’s wider sustainability ambitions through the use of responsibly sourced materials, PFAS-free powder-coated steel, and recycled-content foam options. Manufactured using renewable energy, PLC Tube supports a lower-carbon approach to commercial furniture production while meeting modern indoor air quality standards.
By combining timeless industrial aesthetics with repairability, modular construction and responsible material choices, PLC Tube demonstrates how thoughtful design can contribute to a more circular furniture industry. It is a chair designed not only for today’s interiors, but also for a future where products are expected to last, evolve and remain in use for years to come.
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Source: Modus
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