At Orgatec 2002, Wilkhahn is presenting Signo, a new conference chair that combines an enclosed look with transparency, comfort with technical elegance, and inviting spaciousness with filigree lightness. Signo is a lightweight conference chair not only in the physical sense: the combination of a moulded plywood seat shell, a transparent, kite-like backrest and minimalist, skid frame creates a light, airy impression which takes into account both the need for comfort and an aesthetic sense of space.

Signo range (Design: Werner Sauer):Conferencing with greater ease: inviting spaciousness, filigree frame and a backrest with innovative, transparent stretch material blend to create a conference chair with top comfort and airy elegance.

Task in hand: "Conferencing with greater ease"
When Wilkhahn commissioned Prof. Werner Sauer with the development of a new type of conference chair, the guiding principle was to make conferencing easier in many respects. This included:

• Reduced weight to allow movement and easy handling
• A light, casual form for informal teamwork and open cooperation on an equal basis
• A pleasant, special feeling when sitting that accommodates the user but also gives him a sense of space.

Synthesis of volume, contours and transparency
Werner Sauer solved the assignment by merging apparent opposites to form a harmonious entity. Signo combines an inviting seat shell with high, enclosed side panels with an extremely filigree frame and an ingenious backrest in transparent, stretch material.

Shell with top comfort
The spacious, ergonomically designed seat shell in moulded plywood, with an inserted seat cushion, conveys comfort and a sense of wellbeing and warmth. The armrest pads have an elegant, outward curvature and are tapered towards the front to follow the shape of the user's forearm. This creates an impression of space and volume, combined with clear, fascinating contours.

Filigree space grid
The seat shell is attached to a skid frame in circular tube, which forms a stabile, self-contained space grid. This allowed the cross-section of the steel tube to be reduced to 15 mm. The minimalist, almost suspended character of the frame structure is enhanced by the transparent glides under the skids.

Kite-like backrest
The design of the backrest is particularly important for the feeling of space and comfort. For the Signo backrest, the engineering principle of a kite was further developed to combine transparency and comfortable support in the most optimal manner: an elastic, transparent material in high-performance fibre is stretched across a vertical frame in ergonomically shaped circular tube rod and attached to it in a characteristic kite-like form by means of a horizontal brace. The material and the way in which it is stretched across the frame ensure optimal support and ventilation for the user's back.

Signo range (Design: Werner Sauer):The high side panels of the seat shell form an attractive contrast to the clear, minimalist design of the skid frame. The backrest, with a stretch, kite-like covering, ensures a high degree of comfort and transparency.

The striking interplay of seat shell, frame and backrest makes Signo a distinct, unmistakable conference chair that focuses on creating a synthesis of space, form and comfort for greater ease whenever and wherever people come together in meetings and conferences.

Various surface finishes, materials and colours for the seat shell, seat cushion, frame and backrest covering provide numerous design options and coordination options with individual furnishing concepts.

All illustrations are available as high-resolution print data at www.wilkhahn.com, Service, Image Database, search word "Signo".

For further information, please contact:

Wilkhahn
Wilkening + Hahne GmbH+Co
Press + Public Relations
Fritz-Hahne-Straße 8
31848 Bad Münder
Germany
Phone: ++49 (5042) 999-169
Fax: ++49 (5042) 999-450
burkhard.remmers@wilkhahn.de