Wilkhahn, a German design and furniture manufacturer, will debut its new WiChair at Clerkenwell Design Week in the UK. The WiChair is a compact and minimalist task chair created by in-house industrial designer Alina Schnizler.
Its primary innovation is a patented 3D range of motion, featuring a single, maintenance-free, torsion-elastic steel swing-arm that replaces complex mechanical systems found in conventional task chairs.
Design and Features
The WiChair has a manual adjustment knob at the base, used to set the chair to the user’s weight, ranging from 45kg to 120kg. According to Schnizler, “Once this initial setting is made, the chair functions automatically, allowing the material properties of the steel spring to follow the user’s posture and three-dimensional movements dynamically.”
The chair encourages natural posture changes and movement impulses, effectively mimicking the intuitive way children constantly shift their positions to stay energized.
Schnizler notes that the chair is designed to be ideal for agile workspaces where simplicity is key, with no further levers or knobs required to manage the movement during use.
Sustainability
Sustainable design is a key aspect of the WiChair, with only 34 components used, making it easy to dismantle and replace parts. The chair’s steel frame means it eschews petroleum-based plastics, and up to 40 per cent of the optional foam cushioning is recycled.
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The seat and backrest shell are made of FSC-certified plywood, and the design focuses on material reduction and the use of metal and wood, ensuring a good carbon footprint and high recyclability.
Schnizler explains that the design team opted for visible, colour-matched screws and an exposed spring to visually indicate how the chair moves, demonstrating a commitment to transparency in design.
Customization and Retrospective
The WiChair is available in six frame colours and can be paired with three wood finishes and a wide variety of upholstery fabrics. A raw steel version is also available for those who prefer a more industrial look.
Wilkhahn will also showcase a curated retrospective, ‘A Journey of Dynamic Seating’, tracing the brand’s evolution and presenting its industry ‘heroes’ – the IN, ON, AT, and ME series.
During Clerkenwell Design Week, visitors can participate in the WiChair Speed Challenge, assembling the chair against the clock, with the fastest time winning a WiChair.
Secure your place on the OnOffice Workplace Tours at Clerkenwell Design Week to explore the future of office design through a curated series of showroom visits and discussions on flexibility, wellbeing, circularity and collaboration, taking place on Wednesday 20 May with morning and afternoon sessions available here.
