Hideaway Chair: A Revolution in Children's Furniture Design

Think & Shift's Innovative Approach to Comfort and Enclosure

Think & Shift, a design firm, was approached by New Shoots, a design-led childcare company, to create a unique chair for children. The brief was challenging: the chair needed to provide a comforting sense of enclosure, be durable, user-friendly, visually appealing, and made with natural materials in a sustainable manner. The result was the Hideaway Chair, a design that not only met but exceeded these requirements.

The inspiration for the Hideaway Chair came from observing children's interaction with furniture at childcare centres. The designers noted that children do not sit the same way adults do. They sit upside-down, sideways, curled up in a ball, with their friends, by themselves, with a blanket, on their knees, on their backs, and in many other ways. This insight led to the realization that a scaled-down version of an adult's chair would not suffice. A new approach to ergonomics and comfort was needed.

The Hideaway Chair's unique design provides children with a comforting sense of enclosure. Its spherical form offers visual and audio privacy, inviting children to sit in whichever way makes them feel most relaxed. The chair is low to the ground, signalling to children that it is for them, not for adults. Gaps between each bent ply section allow dirt and liquids to fall through, and each upholstered panel can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement. The chair can also be easily broken down for efficient and sustainable shipping.

Visually, the chair fits New Shoots' high design aesthetic. Its unique curving front profile and faceted side profile give it a contemporary look. All materials used are extremely hard-wearing to survive the rigours of childcare, as well as being clearly natural and high quality. The Hideaway Chair is made from cold moulded New Zealand Pine plywood, natural New Zealand Tawa wood veneer, 80% New Zealand wool upholstery fabric, black powder-coated steel brackets and award-winning New Zealand innovation 'Fast Mount' removable clips.

The Hideaway Chair is not only a triumph of design but also a testament to ethical production values. It is the first furniture product in the world to be awarded Stage 1 Child Labour Free Certification. This recognition, along with the Platinum A' Furniture Design Award in 2016, underscores the chair's innovative design and societal contribution.

In conclusion, the Hideaway Chair by Think & Shift is a revolutionary piece of children's furniture. It is a perfect blend of innovative design, sustainable practices, and ethical production. It offers children a comforting sense of enclosure and a unique sitting experience, redefining the concept of comfort in children's furniture.