Tip Ton Chair - / Tilting & ergonomic by Vitra Green

A revolutionary chair, for an entirely new seating position… Tip Ton defines a new type of chair: a forward tilting seat that allows for an ultra-ergonomic sitting position. In 2008, British design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby were commissioned to develop a furnishing concept for the Royal Society of Arts Academy in London. They realised that no existing chair is suitable for learning in the 21st century: almost all the seats intended for learning were based on outdated teaching lines - on a transmission of knowledge to static students, supposed to learn while remaining seated, without moving. Barber and Osgerby then drew up a list of criteria that a modern chair intended for young students must meet: indestructible, light, easy to manufacture, quiet, stackable, colourful and fully recyclable. And it has to allow movement. These complex requirements demand a revolutionary seat - for an entirely new sitting position. Sitting still is toxic to the whole body, including the brain. Modern research on "dynamic sitting" is categorical: a forward-leaning sitting position helps prevent physical problems and promotes blood circulation - and thus the faculty of concentration. Vitra's interest in the Barber and Osgerby project marked the start of an intensive design process spanning more than two years. Countless technical drawings and over 30 prototypes were made in total. Due to its intended use in educational institutions, the Tip Ton chair has been subjected to many rigorous tests to meet the requirements in different countries. The tool built to develop the Tip Ton mould, made of polypropylene by the injection process, weighs more than 20 tonnes - the seat barely 4. 5 kg! The Tip Ton chair allows two positions: in addition to the classic upright position that’s perfect for rest, it tilts forward in a controlled manner thanks to the runners inclined by approximately 9°. Tip Ton lets you vary the positions, straighten the pelvis and spine, improve blood circulation in the abdominal and back muscles and stimulate oxygenation of the brain and concentration. The user can stay in this inclined position for a long time. Made entirely of polypropylene, this one-piece chair without mechanical components lacks the sophisticated technology of an office chair. Tip Ton isn’t just for school use. The dynamic double sitting position is so natural that Tip Ton can also be used as a universal chair in office environments and private accommodation. Tip Ton brings the ergonomic qualities formerly reserved for office chairs into a new environment. 100% recyclable, Tip Ton can be stacked and used indoors and out.