In an era where lack of movement and stress are becoming major challenges in the daily work routine, the question arises: How can workspaces be designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and promote employee health? Our latest development provides the answer: the Aeris Linu.
With its elegant design and exceptional flexibility, it redefines the modern office chair and becomes the heart of health-conscious work environments. It thus offers users as well as architects and planners a successful symbiosis of form and function that seamlessly integrates into any office concept.
Versatility in Design and Function – the Aeris Linu Moves
The key to the Aeris Linu's freedom of movement lies in its advanced kinematics, inspired by the Aeris Numo Task. "The challenge was to design the kinematics in such a way that movements in all directions are fluid and possible without noticeable joints," explains Dietlind Walger, Chief Product Development Officer at Aeris.
Furthermore, the Aeris Linu was designed to allow even more lateral flexibility, thus adapting to the user's natural movements. In addition, a spring strut supports gentle swinging movements, which ensure noticeable well-being even after long working hours. "Every Aeris chair has the task of keeping the user in motion, and the Aeris Linu is no exception," Walger adds.
Ergonomic features such as the generous seat and high backrest are specifically designed for maximum comfort. "The high-quality upholstery rounds off the design and ensures that well-being and elegance perfectly harmonize."
Prototype of the Aeris Linu office chair with castors.
The Minds Behind the Aeris Linu: Creativity Meets Technology
The Aeris Linu is the result of close collaboration between our internal development team and designer Andreas Ostwald. Together with Dietlind Walger (Chief Product Development Officer), Torsten Teschner (Mechanical Designer & Project Engineer), and Aleksandar Dobric (Technical Product Researcher & Developer), a product was created that combines maximum flexibility with elegant design.
"It is the interplay of creativity and technology that makes Aeris Linu a unique chair," explains Dietlind Walger. "Everyone on the team contributed to turning an idea into a chair that redefines movement."
Aeris Linu design team (from left to right): Torsten Teschner, Dietlind Walger and Andreas Ostwald
A Fast and Creative Development Process
The design and development process for the new Aeris Linu was one of the fastest of all previous Aeris chairs.
The initial idea for the new kinematic concept emerged in mid-2023 after the product development of the Aeris Numo Task. With an initial design draft by Andreas Ostwald for the seat shell, upholstery, and kinematics in January 2024, the project was successfully implemented within just six months.
This speed was primarily made possible by close collaboration with an external manufacturing partner, who was involved as a production partner on the Aeris Swopper at the very beginning of Aeris' history and produced essential parts even then.
Fabric samples and technical drawings show the development steps of an ergonomic chair design.
An Interview with Dietlind Walger: Inspiration and Design
Aeris: How did the idea for the Aeris Linu come about?
Dietlind Walger: After receiving so much positive user feedback for the Numo Task kinematics, it made sense to pursue further development. Our goal was to achieve even more lateral flexibility.
And so, one thing led to another: Our product development team came up with good ideas for adapting the geometry for more lateral flexibility. When Andreas Ostwald then delivered the right design for the new kinematics and the matching shell, everything came together perfectly.
Aeris: What design goal was pursued with the Aeris Linu?
Dietlind Walger: The shell was intended to appear simple and elegant, regardless of whether it was upholstered or not. At the same time, it needed to be flexible enough to be placed on various bases. The upholstery and classic stitching support the shell's slender design, and the larger seat and higher backrest provide additional comfort.
Of course, Andreas Ostwald, the designer of Aeris Linu, can answer all of this much better…
"The initial question of this project was to achieve a higher backrest – because a tall, beautiful back can also be delightful! So it went into aesthetics: an elegant line, a slight curve, something graceful – then mirrored across the central axis – delimiting the shape, a spherical curvature, and the correct posture while sitting becomes easy." - Andreas Ostwald
Aeris: What challenges arose during the development process?
Dietlind Walger: As with all our chair developments, we always have to try to guarantee the greatest possible movement while complying with all relevant safety standards. The issues of stability and pinch hazard, in particular, repeatedly presented us with tricky challenges.
Aeris: What role did sustainability play in the development of Aeris Linu?
Dietlind Walger: Sustainability is a central component of our corporate philosophy. With the Aeris Linu, we focused more on "Circular Economy." This means that all materials used can be easily separated and recycled. Furthermore, we offer a repair and refurbishment service for our products at the factory.
For the chair, we deliberately chose a regional manufacturer who already offers "Circular Economy" and has extensive experience in processing recycled plastics and post-consumer materials. This partner was also able to support us with their very well-positioned engineering department during the Linu development process.
And we were also able to focus on sustainability for the upholstery. For the Circular Economy process, the upholstery can be easily broken down into its material components. For the cover, we also use our sustainable Cura fabric again, which is made from 100 percent post-consumer polyester.
The fabric samples and upholstery are checked using samples and technical sketches.
Aeris: What was the greatest moment of success in the development process?
Dietlind Walger: When we sat on one of the printed prototypes for the first time and could feel the great movement of the chair – that was a moment of joy. And then we could also enjoy the happy smiles of all the other testers. That's when we knew: This will be a great product!
Aeris: How has the development of Aeris chairs changed over the years?
Dietlind Walger: In recent years, we have increasingly relied on external companies that build models of our initial ideas for us in a short time. This allows us to see more quickly whether our design works.
We now also have 3D printers in-house: We want to expand here even further, as it enormously accelerates the development process.
And when we – as with Linu – work with manufacturers who can also support us in engineering, things go even faster.
Individual parts and a model version of the Aeris Linu from our internal 3D printer.
At Orgatec 2024, trade visitors can experience the Aeris Linu live for the first time and be moved by its unique design and flexibility. From mid-2025, the new office and conference chair series will be available in our shop and from authorized specialist dealers. Those who don't want to wait can contact our sales team now to pre-order the Aeris Linu.
