Toleo | 2020-2021

Designers: Martin Ballendat, Ballendat Design, Simbach, Germany
Manufacturer: Viasit Buerositzmoebel GmbH, Neunkirchen, Germany

Design Innovation and Technology. Scientific studies have revealed that 3D sitting is a way to make office worker suffer less from the long-term effects of “sitting disease“, i.e. harmful effects on our vital systems caused by not moving enough and being forced to sit in chairs motionless for most of our working days.

Previous attempts at 3D seating usually involve complex and expensive additional construction elements, such as springs or joints.

With Toleo, the back rest support does more than just connect the back rest to the mechanics of the chair, it has a kinetic function as well, thus supplying 3D movement at a comparatively low price point.

Aesthetics. The designer‘s art is to bring a wealth of functions into a convincing, coherent form –for example, by means of controls that are obvious in their function; a distinctive backrest that is recognizable as the decisive know-how element, with an S-shape resembling a spinal column that hints at its mobility.

4D headrest. Toleo also changes the way we look at headrests. Normally, work chair headrests are more of a gimmick for looks and status, and not a serious take at ergonomic seating.
Toleo, however, features an innovative headrest that can be adjusted in four dimensions, and therefore optimally supports people of different heights and postures. An eccentric button in the centre allows the user to set their optimal setting with just a click.

Sustainability. Which back support material performs best? With Toleo, the options for the material to use in construction of the backrest were computer simulated using finite element calculations to efficiently determine the optimal composition of the material for long-term durability.

The upholstery fabrics recommended by manufacturer Viasit are made of post-consumer recycled polyester.

Toleo, as well as Viasit as a company, is Level 1 certified, meaning that all steps of our production processes have been scrutinised for their environmental effects.