Czech furniture maker TON has launched the Santiago 02 collection designed for people with limited mobility.
The collection includes nine products – electric recliner, relaxation chair with and without a headrest, double and triple relaxation settees, footrest, folding screen, dining chair and dining table.
The collection was influenced by an extensive consultation with clients and staff of rehabilitation and senior care facilities.
“In our consultation sessions respondents placed great emphasis on comfort and security. They wanted sturdy furniture that would not roll away when they grabbed it or leaned on it. And comfort was also key because many clients suffer from bedsores and calluses,” said designer René Šulc.
The basis of the collection is solid, beech wood construction, which is further strengthened on chairs and armchairs with the help of elongated armrests and handrails.
“These provide great support during seating and rising. On the relaxation chairs the armrests are extended around the rear of the backrest to provide a handrail, making it easier to move around the furniture. The table has a special groove on the underside to help diners seat themselves or push and pull their chair,” said Šulc.
The chairs, armchairs and accessories use a range of ergonomic elements that ensure both comfort and stability.
“For example, the gently undulating, leaf-like shape of the relaxation chair simulates the feeling of a warm embrace. Coupled with a careful selection of PUR foams of varying firmness for the headrest and the backrest, the shape of the chair secures a person in the proper seating position and creates a sense of comfort and stability.”
The collection’s distinctive form comes from another finding from TON’s consultation with care facilities.
“Users placed great emphasis on the importance of a home-like atmosphere, and that’s why I wanted to remove – at least visually – any stigma attached to hospital facilities and helplessness,” stressed the designer.
During consultation, care facility personnel placed further emphasis on practicality, easy maintenance and easy manoeuvrability.
“For example, the option to have a different colour for the seat than the backrest helps to hide unsightly stains. Also, the electric recliner can be charged overnight and then moved to wherever needed with the help of swivel wheels,” said Šulc.
