Dauphin's Indeed: the office chair inspired by sleeping comfort

When it comes to choosing the right mattress, people's argumentation often references the many hours that we spend in bed. The office chair is no different. Here, also, we spend a similar amount of time without any really significant positional change. With this in mind, ergonomics specialist Dauphin asked itself why the proven and comfortable technology found in the pocket spring core found in mattresses should not also be used in the office, and has therefore transferred it across from bed to chair. The new seat of Dauphin's tried and tested Indeed work chair is equipped with box spring suspension and impresses also with its green inner values.

The environmental friendliness and good design encapsulated in the Indeed chair can also be seen from its list of awards and seals. Not only has it received the oldest environmental label, the Blue Angel, by the German government, it is also due to receive the renowned German Design and Iconic awards in 2022. High environmental standards and sophisticated design go hand in hand. The intelligent lightweight construction not only saves valuable resources, but also makes handling easier.

The materials, such as the plastics and foams, not only adhere to high German quality standards, but are also sourced from the immediate vicinity. The suppliers are no more than 60 kilometres away from the factory in Offenhausen in central Franconia. And because it can be easily dismantled, it proves itself not only flexible during moves, but also particularly space- and CO2-saving when being transported.

The Indeed chair was designed by Rüdiger Schaack, Dauphin's in-house designer for many years. ‘With the Indeed, we have succeeded in developing a chair that is completely through-designed,’ explains Schaack. ‘There are details that are super worked out in terms of design.’ By this, he means, for example, the beautifully designed backrest, the intuitively understandable and ergonomically functioning controls or the mechanism that is well integrated into the silhouette. The chair's restrained character was a conscious design decision.

‘With Indeed, it was important to develop a chair that was not too polarising,’ says Schaack. As a result, Indeed blends harmoniously into any room scenario and its many furnishing options give customers maximum flexibility. The chair frame is new in a white version with either a closed or well-ventilated backrest with mesh fabric or in a high version as a counter model. It can be combined with a white neckrest and a white base with matching castors so that the chair looks like a single unit. Especially with a mesh backrest, the White Edition looks fresh and light and thus fits particularly well into an office environment that focuses on a bright and homely atmosphere with a clear look.

The seat upholstery covered with Tonal fabric is available in a total of 16 colours, including ones with strong nuances such as tangerine or pink, but also subtle pastels like water blue and water green. Not immediately obvious is its circular, environmentally conscious mission. Because the fabric is made of 99% recycled PET bottles, there are – depending on the model – up to 14 bottles in one chair. Recently, a revolutionary ergonomic solution has also been added beneath the seat cover.

Dauphin has designed the seat with a pocket spring core for particularly comfortable working. The point-elastic-core technology is similar to that found in box-spring mattresses. While sitting, it provides targeted weight relief which prevents pressure on the inside of the thighs which can quickly become uncomfortable when the chair is used for a long time. The spring core is supported by a viscoelastic foam pad. The high-tech comfort material reacts to body pressure and adapts precisely to the anatomy of the body. The holistic ergonomic quality has also already received an important seal of approval with the Aktion Gesunder Rücken (Campaign for Healthier Backs) awarding it its ‘Tested and recommended' distinction for particularly back-friendly products.

‘The component complexity is reduced to a minimum,’ summarises Schaack. ‘Separability by type was just as important as the use of recycled material.’ Because Dauphin keeps an eye on the entire life cycle of its products, the fabric was not glued to the upholstery. Sustainability and environmentally friendly design are a natural part of the company's corporate identity – with awards such as the Blue Angel representing the ultimate positive feedback.

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