by AF0616b3 — June 18, 2010—Taking top laurels as the Best in the Best of NeoCon product competition, and a Gold Award in the Seating Category, Wilkhahn’s displayed its ON chair, after five years in development. German office furniture manufacturer Wilkhahn calls ON office chair a unique concept that gives users the freedom to sit the way they want and can.
At its core is Trimension, a mechanism that precisely follows the positions, functions and scope of movement in the knee and hip joints. As a result, sitting does not cause fatigue and assured movement is encouraged. The concept is very similar to that experienced when one sits on a large exercise ball.
Thanks to computer technology, explains Wilkhahn, the only exercise taken at desks is typing on keyboards or using a mouse. By sitting still, muscles are forced into a posture that in turn leads to disruptions in metabolism, ill health and strain. As a result, for many decades office chairs have been developed with diverse adjustment mechanisms that aim to counteract the consequences of sitting still. However, according to Wilkhahn, this philosophy removes the body’s natural inclinations to move about.
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When developing ON, Wilkhahn’s goal was to achieve the natural freedom of movement advocated by experts. In addition to flexing and stretching the back, three-dimensional flexibility of the hip joints is the key to stimulating the elasticity of the spine, the shoulder joints, as well as the back and neck muscles. The aim is not just to provide for axial forwards, backwards and sideways movements, but to combine these as rotational movements, says the company.
Wilkhahn engineers developed Trimension with this goal in mind. It consists of the integrated interaction of two swing plates that are as supple as thighs, with an extremely flexible seat and backrest design (Flexframe). The pivotal sections’ positions and movement follow the knee and hip joints, so a natural flow of movement is encouraged. The chair follows and supports the body in any movement it makes, while the body’s center of gravity automatically remains between the swivel sections and therefore in perfect balance.
The movement functions were incorporated into the design in the simplest way. Form follows simple and intuitive handling—all controls are very obvious and instructions are not even needed.
The back and seat are easily removed, should one need to be replaced. The chair is delivered with the back off to minimize shipping bulk — it slips back on without any tools. Once mounted, the occupant can raise and lower the back, to adjust the lumbar support position and make it fit just right.
The front edge of the seat can be “bent” to curve underneath, in essence shortening the seat. This is a nice touch for shorter people, or those who like to lean forward in their chairs.
The wide range of models with three backrest heights and three types of upholstery provides office chairs for the home office to the luxury executive chair. A variety of upholstery options complements any interior design.
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Wilkhahn also received a Silver award in Seating: Conference.
For more information see the Wilkhahn Web site.
