Orgatec - Product Review

Architectural Review, The, Oct, 2002

Susan Dawson previews some of the products on show at Orgatec, the world's largest office furniture exhibition to be held in Cologne on 22-26 October.

501 FRITZ HANSEN

Ice is a stacking chir, designed by Kasper Salto, which is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The satin-finish aluminium frame supports a seat and back of flexible man-made material, making the chair light yet comfortable. Ice can be used for company dining areas or outdoor seating in cafes. In formal settings it is available with an upholstered seat, for example Blitz, a fabric by Kvadrat.

Enquiry 501 www.arplus.com/enq.html

502 TEKNION EUROPE

An innovative new workstation by Teknion Europe will be previewed at this year's Orgatec. The company will also be showing Belize, a new range of breakout seating which can be used to create casual sitting areas in the workplace. The chair has a retractable writing tablet framed in brushed aluminium and a storage shelf below the seat for books and laptop cases. The side panels are available in upholstery perforated metal or timber veneer.

Enquiry 502 www.arplus.com/enq.html

503 BULO

A mobile desk-seat, Easy Rider, has been designed by Danny Venlet for the Carte Blanche collection. The round seat rests on three castors and is intended as a 'place of retreat' where users can withdraw with their laptops and mobiles.

Enquiry 503 www.arplus.com/enq.html

504 KLOBER

Tasso is an office or domestic seating system of single twin and three seater elements designed by Burkhardt Vogtherr. The Seats and backs are supported by an exposed frame of steel and aluminium. A similar frame is also used for office tables and side tables with wood veneer tops. Upholstery can be chosen from a wide range of fabrics or leather. Tasso is suitable for foyers, waiting and reception areas and lounges.

Enquiry 504 www.arplus.com/enq.html

505 LAMMHULTS

A series of chairs. sofas and tables, designed by Love Arben, are all named after days in the week. Tuesday, an easy chair with castors, is designed as a conference, working or visitor's chair. It has straight strict lines with an opening in the lower back which is characteristic of the series. The chair, including the sides, is fully upholstered.

Enquiry 505 www.arplus.com/enq.html

506 PRISMA

Opta is a range of luminaires which can be ceiling mounted (Optalux) or suspended (Optalum). Their ability to be fitted with a range of light sources makes them suitable for use in many public and domestic conditions. The luminaires have a translucent prismatic glass diffuser, in three sizes, internally coloured in white, yellow, blue or grey. The Optalum diffuser is suspended from the ceiling on three stainless steel cables. Other metal parts are of aluminium, with a chrome finish.

Enquiry 506 www.arplus.com/enq.html

507 SEGIS

RO is a new swivel armchair designed by Roberto Romanello as part of the Alphabet collection of upholstered seats. It has a tubular steel frame with a back and shaped seat fitted with non-deformable polyurethane foam which achieves 'California Bulletin 117' fire reaction standards. The seat can be covered with fabric, Alcantara or natural leather.

Enquiry 507 www.arplus.com/enq.html

510 WILKHAHN

The design of the Solis office chair aims to synthesize clear form and innovative ergonomics. The frame structure and seat shell have been reduced to symmetrical shapes and simple geometrical surfaces. An automatic synchro-adjustment lowers the seat front to suit the occupant. The chair is also available with adjustable armrests, a height-adjustable backrest and variable seat depths, whereby the active lumbar support is always in the correct position.

Enquiry 510 www.arplus.com/enq.html

508 AVARTE

In 1999 the Karuselli chair was selected as the 'best design of the century by Terence Conran. It is a swivelling and rocking armchair and footstool designed in 1964 by Yrjo Kukkapuro. The white seat shell and base are made of fibreglass; they are connected to each other with a chromed steel spring and rubber dampers. The upholstery is leather.

Enquiry 508 www.arplus.com/enq.html

509 THONET

The A 1700 conference table system provides business users with flexibility, easy storage and transport. The table top comes in many materials including stained beech, ash or walnut, The elliptical section aluminium legs are fixed to the top with an integrated fastener which allows one or two table tops to be connected by hand. Cable ducts can be integrated within the legs. For storage, legs can be removed and table tops stacked without protrusions.

Enquiry 509 www.arplus.com/enq.html