Vitra is a renowned Swiss family-owned company dedicated to contemporary design. It not only makes exquisite furniture and creates remarkable environments, but also owns a Campus with buildings by leading international architects.
Today, most companies are increasing their ecological, social and economic responsibilities and concerns. However, Vitra does not see this responsibility as a duty that has to be forced upon the company, but rather as an aspect of design that has always been a part of the company’s culture. At Vitra, furniture is more valuable when its production, utilization and recycling does not harm people or the environment.
For Vitra, the manufacture and craftsmanship of sustainable products mean careful and dedicated pre-production. In this process, high-quality materials are selected, and tests are carried out that simulate 15 years of use. Individual components should be easy to replace and ultimately recycled.
Following the tradition of Charles and Ray Eames, who influenced Vitra’s approach to sustainability in countless ways, product longevity is central to the company’s contribution to sustainable development. Short-lived styling is avoided at all costs since quality is more important than quantity. This can be seen most clearly in the classical pieces of furniture that have been used for decades, had several owners and have then even ended up as a part of a collection.
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Vitra works with independent “authors” – primarily with designers, but also with architects and graphic artists. What distinguishes the work of these people from that of other designers is the fact that their personal imprint and outlook is reflected in every one of their products.
Vitra sees designers not simply as contractors but as authors. The relationship of trust between these authors from all corners of the world and Vitra, who shares their ambitions, is at the very heart of the company’s product development process. Collaborations are always a subtle synthesis of artistic freedom, production know-how and industry knowledge. This philosophy has shaped the company’s culture since its early partnerships with seminal designers like Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson.
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