levitask vision chair's open hip angle design challenges 50 years of flawed ergonomics

"The Vision Chair by Levitask and designer Klaus Kummer represents the outcome of over forty years of research into posture and ergonomics. The chair challenges the conventional 90-degree seating position by proposing a dynamic alternative defined as Elevated Seating, a posture concept that distributes body weight more evenly and supports natural spinal alignment. Kummer, originally trained as a cabinet maker before moving into industrial design in Germany and Scandinavia, combines traditional craftsmanship with ergonomic engineering."

"At the center of the design is the T-Mech™ mechanism, a patent-pending system that allows the chair to move in sync with the user's body. By opening the hip angle beyond 90 degrees, it reduces pressure on the lower back and improves circulation. The position encourages a gentle forward rotation of the pelvis, maintaining the spine's natural S-curve and enabling balance through motion, an effect inspired by the posture of a horse rider."

"Structurally, the Vision Chair combines polished aluminum for the frame and base with recycled ABS shells. The seat and armrests use natural cotton upholstery and organically tanned leather, selected for durability and breathability. Biodegradable TPU wheels allow quiet and smooth mobility, aligning with the company's focus on longevity and responsible material use. The result is a chair designed to accommodate continuous movement rather than static sitting, offering a balance between comfort, posture, and mecha"

The Vision Chair rethinks seated posture by using Elevated Seating to open the hip angle beyond 90 degrees, distributing body weight and supporting natural spinal alignment. A patent-pending T-Mech™ mechanism lets the seat move in sync with the body's motion, encouraging gentle forward pelvic rotation, reducing lower-back pressure, and improving circulation. The design prioritizes continuous movement over fixed positions to maintain the spine's S-curve and enable balance through motion. Structural choices include polished aluminum frames, recycled ABS shells, natural cotton upholstery, organically tanned leather, and biodegradable TPU wheels to combine durability, breathability, mobility, and responsible material use.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine