Vitra and Studio ΠIntroduce the Bascule Lounge Chair at 3daysofdesign

Developed in Switzerland by Vitra, in collaboration with Lisa Ertel and Anne-Sophie Oberkrome of Berlin–based Studio Œ, the Bascule lounge chair conveys a relaxed visual language through its loosely fitted fabric adornment. Introduced at 3daysofdesign, the chair—which comes with a four-star aluminium swivel base or a wooden base, in a highback version or as a lowback model—only employs separable materials and uses no adhesive. Furthering its sustainable composition, the cover is removable, repairable, and replaceable.

The debut of an underlying technology accompanies the Bascule release—an engineering advancement that allows the chair to adjust to a user’s weight. It enables a smooth transition from the sitting to reclining positions (the name, which is French for seesaw, acknowledges this). “At Vitra, there is a close, ongoing dialogue between our engineering team and the designers as we develop products,” Christian Grosen, the Chief Design Officer of Vitra, tells Surface.

“With Studio Œ, the mechanism for Bascule was adapted throughout the design process to meet the demands and opportunities presented by the concept,” Grosen continues. Studio Œ looked to the fashion world for tailoring techniques that allowed the fabric to dress the lounge chair while also supporting its movement. Ertel and Oberkrome observed the fabric’s response to the chair’s movement, as it stretched and loosened, and adjusted accordingly.

“For us, the comparison with a jacket couldn’t be more fitting—a favorite jacket you love to slip on, one that is soft, familiar and simply comfortable,” the studio shared in a statement. In line with this, and contributing to the lounge chair’s versatility, the fabric cover can be changed for another colorway if circumstances (or tastes) change over time.