i+D - July/August 2019 - 26

Materials
Seating

TAKE A SEAT
The practice of creating effective seating for contract interiors
has taken on new and interesting forms as the open floor plan
continues its hold on today's offices. Seating no longer needs to
simply offer a place to sit. It also must offer ergonomic support,
acoustical benefits, and, of course, visual appeal to add interest
to those wide-open spaces and make it more comfortable for
employees to get their work done-and take meaningful breaks
as well.
Pod-like, acoustical seating has taken many forms, with
an amplified focus on comfort and expanded purpose. Added
audible and ergonomic satisfaction, assorted shapes and sizes to
accommodate small groups, and sides sculpted to better suit the
human form are transforming such options from spots to take a
quick, quiet rest to someplace to possibly settle in for the day.

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Mobile seating that can be endlessly reconfigured also has
found a home in today's offices, where meetings no longer always
take place around formal conference tables. Manufacturers are
expanding on options to offer easier maneuverability, greater
textile possibilities, maximized capacity, and the Lego-like ability
to create the right configuration for any scenario.
As the popularity of the open office plan shows no signs of
waning, this is a category primed to continue advancement and
expansion. An increased workplace focus on employee wellbeing
will be a design driver for seating developments, as product
designers work to perfect a combination of health benefits
and style.
-Jennifer Quail

1. STUDIO TK. Designed by busk+hertzog, the Havn chair from Studio TK
is described by the company as a place to rest, recharge, and reclaim your focus.
The side and back walls are just high enough to provide acoustic benefits, but not
so high you can't see what's happening around you. Meanwhile, the curvature of
the arm area offers a perfect resting spot, and the attached back cushion lends
lumbar support.
2. NIENK ÄMPER. Reconfigurable and scalable, Heartbeat is a creation by
Karim Rashid for Nienkämper. The seating solution consists of three elements-
straight, concave, and convex-and provides a new twist on bench-like seating
for open areas. The three components allow for the creation of myriad wave-like
configurations, and the arrangement of seats prevents people from being seated
back-to-back and makes it easy to interact with those on the opposite side.
3. HIGHTOWER. Designed by Most Modest, the Gimbal Lounge Rocker from
Hightower plays on the idea of a body in motion staying in motion. Gimbal rocks and
swivels for soothing movement and ease-of-conversation when seated with others.
But, that calming motion was devised with just enough movement for the sitter to expel
energy, making sitting down a more healthy affair. Gimbal also features down-filled
pillows with the support of a foam insert to cradle the body and deepen the
comfort level.

Image 1: StudioTK/Image 2: Nienkämper/Image 3: Hightower/Image 4: Allsteel

4. ALLSTEEL. Two-Thirds is a collection of seating and surfaces designed
by Joey Ruiter for Allsteel. The simple shapes allow for adaptability and endless
reconfiguration, and the lightweight design makes arranging and rearranging
individual pieces easy. The line includes poufs, benches, and tables that can be
used alone or combined in varying ways. The collection is planned around a 7-inch
increment, which provides a natural nesting point for bringing pieces together.

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i+D - July/August 2019
i+D - July/August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i+D - July/August 2019
