Wilkhahn’s Concentra and Conversa table ranges – ideal for new working environments

Text by Wilkhahn
Bad Münder, Germany
23.11.12

At Orgatec, Wilkhahn is showcasing two related, future-proof table ranges that respond to the trend for more flexible office spaces. The Conversa and Concentra ranges (designed by wiege) combine high levels of standardisation with the maximum in design and usage options. The ranges’ tabletops appear to float on air and the design of the table-leg capitals is striking. These features lend the furniture a high-quality appeal.

To provide more versatility in office spaces, Concentra and Conversa offer an intelligent modular system of joints, under frames, capitals and table legs. The outstanding design encourages a consistent aesthetic in two different directions. In the Concentra range, the under frame is supported by round table legs with appropriately shaped table-leg capitals and subtly rounded table corners. The Conversa range on the other hand consists of table legs and table capitals that are square with tight corner radii, conveying a more powerful quadrangular look.

Concentra range (design wiege): under frames set back and contoured capitals make the tabletops appear to float on air. Photo: Wilkhahn

Conversa range (design wiege): white-coated table legs and glass tabletops, coated white on the bottom, impressively emphasise the technical elegance of Conversa. Photo: Wilkhahn

Superb design…
The under frame in both ranges is set back and the table-leg capitals are contoured towards the bottom. A space is created so that the tabletops appear to be floating on air. Fine lines segregate the different components of the frame. As a result, the highly precise and very stable structure becomes a design element. First-class materials produce exceptionally stylish elements. Underframes and table legs consist of extremely strong steel tube, the connecting elements are made of precise die-cast zinc. Consequently, table formats of up to 200 by 100 centimetres and 160 by 160 centimetres are possible.

Conversa range (design wiege): the modular frame system allows particularly versatile formats. For example, 160 x 160 centimetres as a desk for two, or for a project team, or a meeting with eight people. Photo: Wilkhahn

… and innovative structures
All the connecting components are applied with screws and lie at the heart of the table’s design. With just one single screw, the connectors on the table-leg capitals and the under frame joint are examples of centred form- and force-fit design. In addition to the advantages these features add in terms of quality, they also allow compact sizes when transporting and storing the furniture. Tabletops and underframes are pre-assembled in the factory and the legs are screwed on when the furniture is delivered. This cuts packaging material, emissions during transport and guarantees that materials can be sorted according to type and recycled.

Concentra range (design wiege): corner knuckles, under frames and capitals form a very precise, stable and modular frame structure that requires a minimum of material thickness and allows plenty of leg room. Photo: Wilkhahn

Compact, standard and large for more cachet
The tables come in depths of 75, 80, 90 and 100 centimetres with co-ordinating table widths, ensuring they are easy to combine with one another too. The adaptability of two formats is particularly striking. At 160 by 160 centimetres, the “team table” can become a standard, cost-efficient desk for two, or a project-group table, or part of a conference system. And in a diameter of 126 centimetres, the round table (only in the Concentra range) offers space for up to eight people.

A variety of designs to enable a range of uses, for seminars or high-status conferences. Here with a bright chromium-plated frame and glass tabletop coated black on the bottom. Conversa range, design: wiege, photo: Wilkhahn

Hard-wearing to sophisticated finishes
The tabletops are optionally directly coated, or covered in laminates, or genuine-wood veneers. For that more prestigious look, glass tabletops made of single-pane reinforced glass, or with an opaque black or white coat on the bottom, are available. The surfaces of the table legs and capitals are optionally white, black or silver coated, or bright chromium plated. The under frames are black coated.

Accessories
If required, the tables can be upgraded to accommodate power-supply fittings which include horizontal cable tracks and vertical cable risers. The tables can also easily be retrofitted with modesty panels and table-table connectors which are fitted in the threaded sleeves on the underframes.

Power-supply options that are perfect and easy to retrofit, Concentra range, design: wiege, photo: Wilkhahn

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For more information:
http://www.wilkhahn.com/conversa-concentra/