Dezeen Magazine

Whass chair by Actiu

Actiu launches "super stackable" office chair by Item Designworks

Dezeen promotion: the Whass office chair, created by Item Designworks for Spanish brand Actiu, is designed for flexible use.

Billed as "super stackable", the Whass is designed to offer a comfortable seat for a day of work, but also to be easily stored away when not needed.

It is intended to suit changing environments, from adaptable offices to training spaces or conference halls.

Whass chair by Actiu
The Whass office chair offers a comfortable seat for a day of work

"With natural aesthetics, compact and sinuous lines,  the structure of the Whass has been designed and manufactured for intensive use in flexible spaces," said Actiu.

"It can be stored in the minimum possible space, a feature that makes it an ideal choice for conference halls and multi-purpose spaces."

Whass chair by Actiu
The chair can be stacked for easy storage

Javier Cuñado, head of Bilbao-based studio Item Designworks, designed the chair with a boxy frame and a curved backrest.

This simple form allows up to 30 units to be stacked on top of one another. But it is also ergonomic, able to support the sitter's back through long hours at a desk.

Whass chair by Actiu
It is designed to suit changing environments, from adaptable offices to conference halls

"The Whass chair design allows back support while preserving a feeling of freedom of movement," said the brand.

"The curved back guarantees comfort while also offering a versatile and functional chair for multi-use spaces."

Whass chair by Actiu
The chair comes in four colours: black, white, green and red

The chair is available in three different leg and height options. It also comes with the option of an upholstered seat.

Customers can choose between four colours – black, white, green and red – and either wooden or metal legs.

"The variety and flexibility of the product result in a family of products tailored for each space and adaptable to individual needs," said Actiu.

Whass chair by Actiu
The chair was launched at Orgatec, along with the versatile Talent table series

Whass is among a number of new products launched by Actiu at the Orgatec furniture fair in Cologne at the end of last year.

The brand also unveiled Talent, a versatile series of tables that offer height adjustment without electrical power, so users can switch between sitting or standing with ease. The tables are foldable and stackable, making them easy to store when not in use.

Other new launches included soft seating system Noom and task chair Trim.

The event saw many brands exploring new types of workspace. Designers told Dezeen that "the desk has had its day", because today's workspaces need to be more adaptable, more like the home.