The focus of those interested in culture and design is on Signo, the new chair from Wilkhahn, even before it has been launched: at the ICSID International Design Congress early September the Kestner Museum in Hanover will be staging an extensive exhibition on the theme of the culture of sitting with over 100 exhibits spanning three centuries. The "Design Lab" is part of this exhibition. It gives visitors the opportunity of "test-sitting" and, using Signo as an example, allows them insight into the design process: to see how an innovative idea is converted into a technically sophisticated and aesthetic design which can be produced industrially and sold with success.

The Kestner-Museum had asked Prof. Werner Sauer, designer and dean of the Faculty of Design at the Fachhochschule Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen, to present the design process, starting with the initial idea for a "sitting device" to a chair that is ready for serial production. What fitted the bill better than taking a current development, which had just been completed for Wilkhahn, and which is due to go into serial production soon? The most important development steps for this new chair are being shown at the Kestner Museum.

The idea behind the product: relaxation and promotion of discussion between the workplace and the conference room
When Werner Sauer was commissioned to develop a lightweight conference chair, it was not simply a matter of creating a variation of the century-old subject of a chair. A key factor was what Wilkhahn had found out in lengthy research on communication, namely that informal communication is one of the most corporate processes with the greatest vitality. Foyers, lounges and other semi-public areas extend an invitation to both relaxation and spontaneous exchange of ideas, to creating ideas and coming to agreements in a casual manner in small groups. The task in hand was to develop a new type of chair concept that embodies the cosiness of an upholstered chair and provides the mobility of a light conference chair. One that combines sophisticated quality with technical elegance, inviting spaciousness with filigree transparency. And which also contributes to an informal, open and creative culture of discussion.

Fig. Signo (Design: Werner Sauer): shell and transparent backrest combine a sense of wellbeing with aesthetic transparency.

Fig. Signo (Design: Werner Sauer): the space grid supports the shell and forms the structure for the stretch backrest membrane.

Realization: synthesis of opposites
Werner Sauer solved the assignment by merging apparent opposites to form a harmonious entity. Signo combines an inviting seat shell in moulded plywood with high, enclosed side panels with an extremely filigree steel frame. The backrest, on the other hand, is formed by an ingenious kite-like, membrane construction that conveys both transparency and optical lightness. The result may look fascinatingly simple and self-evident but it has evolved from a process that was equally intuitive and systematic, which is elucidated at the Kestner Museum in a manner that is comprehensible for non-professionals too.

For example: form of the seat shell - about radii
Sketches, discussions and continual modifications of models and prototypes preceded the achievement of the final form of the seat shell. This form does not only project comfort, a sense of wellbeing and physical warmth: the elegant curvature of the armrest pads, tapered toward the front, provides clear, fascinating contours.

For example: space grid - between minimalism and stability
The skid frame in round tube forms a stable, self-contained space grid. The optimum between reduced thickness of the material and maximum stability was determined in the course of numerous tests. This allowed the cross-section of the steel tube to be reduced to 15 mm. Transparent glides under the skids underline the minimalist, almost suspended character of the frame structure.

For example: backrest - interplay of construction, material and ergonomics
The design of the backrest is particularly important for the aesthetic feeling of space and the comfort of the chair. The engineering principle of a kite was further developed with a view to combining transparency and comfortable support: a flexible, transparent material in high-performance fibre is stretched across a vertical frame 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 attached provide automatic support and ventilation for the user's back, whatever shape and size it might be. The complexity of the ergonomics cannot be solved mathematically: the largest common denominator to accommodate the varying forms of people's backs was determined in extensive test runs in a sitting device that was constructed for this very purpose.

Fig Signo (Design: Werner Sauer): high quality and elegance, spaciousness and transparency encourage an informal, open and creative culture of discussion.

Try it out at the Museum
The striking interplay of seat shell, frame and backrest makes Signo a distinct, unmistakable conference chair that makes for greater ease whenever and wherever people come together. What is special about it: the general public can try Signo out for itself at the Kestner Museum before the new chair is launched on the market. Various upholstery options, shell and surface finishes invite you to experience the complex interplay of eye and hand, brain and heart, back and buttocks for yourself.

The exhibition "Setz dich - Sit down" runs from 13 August to 16 November 2003 and will be supported by a host of events on the theme of sitting.

On 8 September, there will be a guided tour of the exhibition by Dr.Wolfgang Schepers, Director of the Kestner Museum, and Prof. Werner Sauer, designer, as part of the press programme accompanying the ICSID Congress.

Further information on the exhibition and the ICSID Congress available at: www.ifdesign.de - Design Satellites

See www.wilkhahn.de - Press - for detailed press programme.

ProfileSigno range
Design: Werner Sauer
Versions: With seat cushion or with seat cushion and armrest pads
Seat shells: Moulded plywood, maple or walnut veneer
Covers: Wilkhahn fabric and leather collection
Frame: (optionally with glides) Round steel tube, bright chromium-plated or matt chromium-plated
Backrest: Transparent, high-performance material, anthracite
Price: From EUR 595
Available end of 2003.

All illustrations are available as high-resolution print data at: burkhard.remmers@wilkhahn.de

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