Collaboration between Wilkhahn and designer Stefan Diez started some three years ago to develop a stackable multi-purpose chair. The chair should form a bridge between working and living environments, it should be able to stand alone or grouped and combine functionality, industrial manufacturing precision and durability with economic advantages. Fully functioning prototypes of Chassis, the new chair, will be shown at Orgatec for the first time.

Chassis, the multi-purpose chair, design: Stefan Diez. Space-frame technology allows an extremely comfortable, ultra-light stacking chair in steel and leather to be designed that is functional, aesthetic and ecologically convincing. Photo: Wilkhahn

The starting point for the design was the idea, as with a bicycle, of using a technical material for the frame and of designed an organically shaped seat in natural core leather. Tests carried out in the automobile industry in space-frame technology led to the next step: the structure of the sheet steel is stabilized by means of precision deep-drawing technology and formed in one piece into a three-dimensional, high-strength, yet light resilient seat and back frame with a material thickness of just one millimetre. Then the four legs, manufactured using the same technology, are attached to the connection points of the seat and back frame using spot-welding technology. Materials and manufacturing techniques are thus able to combine comfort, high stability and break resistance with minimum material input - the entire frame weighs only 2,600 grams. The material itself also conserves resources as the greater part can be returned to technical materials cycle.

The unitary seat and back shell in shaped core leather is attached to the supporting structure by means of a holding frame. In ergonomic terms, it is designed for changing sitting positions, and even allows a straddling position. Low weight and a back frame that can be easily gripped ensure extremely convenient handling.

The materials used are highly innovative and the design of "Chassis" is self-explanatory: form and function combine to create an unmistakable, distinctive and coherent appearance. The chair has an immediate, familiar appeal due to the clarity of its structure and shell form. The soft lines of the frame and the gracefulness of the core leather look inviting and pleasing. The special character of the form, the materials and look and feel of the chair make it set for becoming an all-time favourite - particularly as the core leather shell develops patina and acquires a certain individuality over the course of time.

Besides the chair with a core leather shell, shell versions using press laminated textiles are also planned to allow varying applications, ranging from a cafeteria, studio and workshop environments to a private setting. There are various options for the frame finish: colour powder coating, liquid coating and chromium-plating.

You can find Wilkhahn at Orgatec 2008 in Hall 10.2. Stand Q10/P11

High-resolution image data available at http://images.wilkhahn.com
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Further details:

Wilkhahn
Wilkening + Hahne GmbH+Co.KG
International Communications
Burkhard Remmers
Fritz-Hahne-Straße 8
D-31848 Bad Münder
Tel.  +49 5042 999 169
Fax  +49 5042 999 130
Mobile  +49 172 544 9975
burkhard.remmers@wilkhahn.de

mai public relations
Matthias Mai
Chausseestr. 8, Aufgang E
D-10115 Berlin
Tel.  +49 30 8411 4808
Fax   +49 30 8411 4807
Mobile  +49 163 325 0099
mm@maipr.com