June 23, 2004—Humanscale’s introduction at NeoCon this year is the Liberty chair, a new task and conference chair designed by industrial designer Niels Diffrient. Liberty’s design transforms traditional mesh into a dynamic and supportive material that combines the benefits of traditional mesh with the body-friendly support found in contoured structural foam cushions. Liberty won the gold award in the Seating: Ergonomic Desk/Task category in The Best of NeoCon 2004.
For Liberty, Niels Diffrient designed the patent-pending Form Sensing Mesh Technology. Three panels of minimal (5%) stretch mesh are cut and sewn together in a carefully developed pattern. When combined with the contours of the outer frame of Liberty, these three mesh panels create an optimal compound curve that both matches the contours of the human back and provides exceptional lumbar support without the need for an external lumbar device.
Traditional mesh offers many benefits when used in seating, including breathability, durability, and esthetic appeal. Its number one limitation, says Humanscale, is its inability to properly support the natural curvature of the user’s back. When a standard stretchy mesh is used in a backrest, it is typically held in place by an outer frame. The mesh necessarily follows the contours of the frame instead of creating the compound curves necessary to accommodate the contours of the human body. While seated, the user applies outward pressure to the mesh, which yields rather than keeps its shape.
For more information contact Humanscale.
See also “65 Gold and Silver Awards Issued in The Best of NeoCon 2004” in the Industry Awards section.
