The revolutionary Fellowes Array Air Quality Management (AQM) system highlights the meticulous design and end user-oriented approach that has allowed Fellowes to thrive in the Air Quality Management space. In the face of increasing research around how building air quality impacts our day to day lives, we explore how the visionary ethos of Fellowes has culminated in a breakthrough solution that transforms indoor air quality, offering clean, healthy air and peace of mind.
Q: How did Fellowes approach the design challenge for the Array Air Quality Management (AQM) system?
John Fellowes, CEO: “Achieving a breakthrough in product design requires more than bold innovation. It demands a relentless pursuit of excellence and a profound understanding of customer needs. For Fellowes, embracing a user-centric design philosophy means not only valuing customer feedback, but also pushing the envelope and thinking beyond the customer’s current expectations and needs to the positive impacts the product can have on daily life down the line.”
Q: Can you explain the design ethos behind Fellowes and how it influenced the creation of Array?
Arti Lyde, Global General Manager, Air Quality Management: “Our user-centered, solutions-driven ethos permeates every project we undertake. For example, we assessed and redesigned filter maintenance to enhance user experience and simplify management. Traditional filters require replacement every three to six months, but our thoughtfully designed Array filters extend this to an easily managed once-a-year maintenance.
The design of the filter chambers, with suspended and recessed units featuring front access panels, allows for one-handed filter replacement. Beyond the physical filter, we’ve developed the Viewpoint dashboard, which allows customers access to filter status prior to needing replacement regardless of that unit’s location, helping to maintain filter inventory and ensuring a continuously healthy environment. Our design strategy aims to simplify user interactions and enhance system status and performance visibility.”
Q: What makes the Array system unique in the realm of air quality management?
Taiwon Choi, Director of Industrial Design: “Array’s triumph, like many great innovations, is born from extensive effort, yet delivers a product that feels effortlessly exceptional. It’s effortless in the way it improves indoor air quality, intelligently senses and responds to changing conditions, complements any aesthetic, and allows for easy monitoring and maintenance.”
Q: How did the pandemic influence the development of Array?
Arti Lyde: “This groundbreaking AQM solution was already in development when the COVID pandemic hit, amplifying the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ). The growing body of research around IAQ at this time was revealing the troubling correlation between poor air quality and significant health risks, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions. It underscored just how crucial the work we were doing was.”
Q: What were the initial steps Fellowes took in air quality management?
Arti Lyde: “We initially entered the market in 2008 with our standalone residential air purifiers, AeraMax®. Recognizing the critical need for air purification, we developed high-efficiency air purifiers for commercial spaces, addressing sick building syndrome and creating healthier work environments. This journey eventually led to the creation of the Array building-wide solution.”
Q: How does Fellowes ensure the design process is holistic and user-centered?
Ron Stephens, Chief Product Officer: “Our design process is centered around the end users’ well-being and effectiveness. Innovation at Fellowes is a company-wide spirit, involving collaboration and iterative processes across all departments. New ideas come from various directions ensuring we cover every possibility for innovation, from user experience and market trends to cutting-edge technologies and manufacturability.”
Q: What was the inspiration behind the name 'Array'?
Arti Lyde: “The name ‘Array’ was inspired by the need for a comprehensive solution for buildings, requiring a range of unit options designed for specific spaces and purposes. For example, units designed to hang from or be recessed into ceilings need unique strategies to blend with interior design and achieve the best performance. Our solution targets an array of needs.”
Q: What technological advancements does the Array system incorporate?
Taiwon Choi: “All Array purifying units employ our patented EnviroSmart+ sensor technology, which continuously monitors the environment and adjusts the purification process to ensure optimal air quality. Array’s most unique feature is the ability to group units together to work in a coordinate response triggered by the EnviroSmart+ sensor technology. This data is then visible to employees and visitors on system displays, and to facilities managers on their Viewpoint dashboard, providing valuable insights for analysis and system maintenance.”
Q: How does the Array system enhance efficiency and user experience?
Ron Stephens: “Our networked approach allows each unit to communicate with others in the system, enabling intelligent and efficient operations. This harmonization with existing HVAC systems enhances efficiency without requiring connection to ductwork.”
Q: What does the future hold for indoor air quality and Fellowes' role in it?
John Fellowes: “As awareness of indoor air quality grows, so does the demand for innovative solutions like the Fellowes Array system. With its groundbreaking design, advanced technology, and comprehensive approach, the Array system is poised to revolutionize the way we think about air purification.”
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