Heritage German design and furniture manufacturer Wilkhahn will showcase its new WiChair alongside a curated retrospective of its most celebrated seating during Clerkenwell Design Week
Created by in-house industrial designer Alina Schnizler, this latest task chair is compact and minimalist. Its primary innovation is its patented 3D range of motion: a single, maintenance-free, torsion-elastic steel swing-arm replaces the complex mechanical systems found in conventional task chairs.
The WiChair features a manual adjustment knob at the base that is used to set the chair to the user’s weight, ranging from 45kg to 120kg. “Once this initial setting is made, the chair functions automatically in the sense that the material properties of the steel spring allow it to follow the user’s posture and three-dimensional movements dynamically. There are no further levers or knobs required to manage the movement during use, making it ideal for agile workspaces where simplicity is key,” says Schnizler.
“The chair encourages natural posture changes and movement impulses that are often lost while working, effectively mimicking the intuitive way children constantly shift their positions to stay energised.”
Sustainable design is a key aspect of the WiChair. It has been designed using just 34 components, so parts are easy to dismantle and replace. Its steel frame means that the chair eschews petroleum-based plastics and up to 40 per cent of the optional foam cushioning is recycled, while the seat and backrest shell are made of FSC-certified plywood. “We focused heavily on material reduction and the use of metal and wood, which ensures both a good carbon footprint and high recyclability,” explains Schnizler. “We also embraced ‘design honesty’ by opting for visible, colour-matched screws and an exposed spring that visually indicates how the chair moves.”
The chair is available in six frame colours, such as blush pink, mint green and soft lemon. These can be paired with three wood finishes, including oak, and a wide variety of upholstery fabrics. Those who prefer a more industrial look can opt for a raw steel version that celebrates the production process. “Beyond the ergonomics, I wanted to give the chair an extra dose of fun through its colour options and that surprising springy comfort that brings a bit of joy to the workday,” adds the designer.
“The most exciting part of the design process was ensuring that, despite the prominent use of steel and visible technology, the chair remained a friendly and rounded product that people genuinely enjoy using,” says Schnizler. “It was about finding that balance between a technical innovation and a piece of furniture that feels warm and inviting.”
The retrospective, ‘A Journey of Dynamic Seating’, will trace the brand’s evolution by presenting its industry ‘heroes’ – the IN, ON, AT, and ME series – each a landmark in the science of healthy, three-dimensional sitting, powered by Wilkhahn’s patented Trimension® technology.
And, during CDW, visitors are invited to put their skills to the test in the WiChair Speed Challenge – assembling Wilkhahn’s latest chair against the clock. The fastest time wins a WiChair.
Wilkhahn, 45 Great Sutton Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 0DE
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.
