Revolutionizing Classroom Seating: The Saddle Seat

Masahiko Ito's Award-Winning Design Promotes Good Posture and Concentration

Masahiko Ito's inspiration for the Saddle Seat was drawn from observing student behavior in schools. He noticed that students naturally fidget and move around in their chairs, often adopting a riding position when concentrating and reclining when reflecting. This observation led to the creation of a chair that supports these natural inclinations, promoting active sitting and thus, better concentration.

The Saddle Seat stands apart from traditional school chairs due to its unique properties. It is playful and engaging, designed to promote good posture and improved concentration. Poor posture can lead to a host of health issues later in life, including back problems and serious diseases. By promoting good posture from an early age, the Saddle Seat aims to prevent these issues.

Not only is the Saddle Seat innovative in its design, but also in its production. It is made from a single piece of steel tube, eliminating the need for welding and reducing material wastage and carbon footprint. The chair can be stacked for transportation, further enhancing its sustainability. The wooden components are designed to age gracefully, fostering a sense of care and longevity among students.

The Saddle Seat is lightweight, weighing less than 4kg, and its dimensions are 520mm x 400mm x 700mm. It is a stacking chair, making it easy for students to carry multiple chairs at once. The chair offers various sitting positions, allowing students to sit sideways, ride it like a horse, or lean on it during breaks.

The design of the Saddle Seat was a year-long project, starting in October 2017 and ending in April 2018. It was exhibited at the New Designers and London Design Festival in 2018. The design process involved extensive research and observation of how people sit on chairs, as well as the relationship between sitting and mental and physical health. Feedback from students was also incorporated into the final design.

In conclusion, the Saddle Seat is a testament to the power of design in improving everyday life. It is a new archetype of school chair that not only enhances posture and concentration but also promotes sustainability. The Saddle Seat is a shining example of Masahiko Ito's innovative approach to design, earning him well-deserved recognition in the form of the Silver A' Furniture Design Award.