HÅG chair recognised for design

To Christian Lodgaard, Head of Research & Development at HÅG as, the Design Effect Awards are a tribute to a persistent and long-standing design strategy of focusing on good design in combination with well-balanced comfort and environmentally friendly solutions.

“We are very pleased to have won the Design Effect Award, which shows that we made the right decision when focusing on new design in the development of HÅG Conventio,” says Lars I. Røiri, CEO of HÅG as. “Based on the existing platform with a built-in tilt function, we designed an entirely new seat and backrest and created an expansive and colourful collection with new, comfortable upholstery that is exceptionally lightweight and durable. The basic design can be combined in a wide range of ways to fit everything from schools to conference rooms, cafes and hotels,” explains Lars I. Røiri. Since 2006, sales of the Coventio series have increased by 100% in volume and 80% in value.

The jury's statement: An example from HÅG of deliberate use of design according to a precise and clear objective, which led to well-documented results.

The designer and the Design Effect Award
The designer of HÅG H09, Svein Asbjørnsen from sapDesign, is proud of the Design Effect Award.

“It is naturally important for me as a designer that my work gains recognition, but it is just as important that it generates sales for the manufacturer. The special thing about the HÅG09 office chair in comparison to other chairs is not just the visible design, but also all the things that you do not see. For example, the HÅG09 has two patents: one for the backrest and one for the armrests. These two patented features enable people of all sizes to find a perfect sitting position in the HÅG09. Add to this that the chair moves with the user in all positions, from forward-leaning work to reclined relaxation. In combination with the previous awards given to the HAG H09, this award confirms that we have succeeded in creating a complete solution in which the design process has led to an excellent result,” says Svein Asbjørnsen.

When the HÅG H09 replaced the HÅG Signét in 2004, sales of HÅG Premium office chairs increased by 170% in just one year. In comparison to the HÅG Signét, the total volume of HÅG H09 has increased by 280%.

The jury's statement: Always true to its philosophy of design-driven innovation, values and ergonomics are also closely linked to HÅG’s bottom line success.

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For more information, please contact:
Christian Lodgaard, Director Research & Development at HÅG and Scandinavian Business Seating. T: +47 41 64 18 23, e-mail: christian.lodgaard@sbseating.com

Lars I. Røiri,CEO at HÅG and Scandinavian Business Seating T: +47 22 59 59, e-mail: lars.roiri@sbseating.com

For high resolution images, please contact graphic designer Elin Modal, T: +47 22 59 59 02, e-mail: elin.modal@sbsseating.com

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The Design Effect Award
For the first time ever, the Norwegian Design Council has expanded the annual awarding of “The Award for Design Excellence” and “Young Talent Award” to include an award recognising design with proven commercial potential. The new award is called the Design Effect Award and is exclusively given to design projects with a clearly documented cause and effect relationship between the new design and the project’s success. The new award is the result of a collaboration with Design Association (DBA) in England, which for the past 20 years has awarded a “Design Effectiveness Award” based on a detailed assessment system that measures the effect of the design; this system is now also used by the Norwegian Design Council. The committee of judges is comprised of 34 leading design experts from the Nordic region.

Design strategy
Innovation is necessary to be a leader in one’s field. Scandinavian Business Seating has a long tradition of focusing on design and product development as important competitive parameters. We actively incorporate our Scandinavian design tradition into our efforts to create new and lasting competitive advantages. We strive to promote modern Scandinavian design and to continually develop our ergonomic solutions, while working to establish the industry’s most environmentally friendly and best seating solutions to meet people’s varying needs. We approach these tasks with high competence, vigour, courage, motivation and bounding enthusiasm.

HÅG H09
Sit comfortably. Sit for a long time.
HÅG H09 is a timeless and robust office chair. When you look at it and when you sit on it, the impression you get is that it's strong, solid and reliable. It is a chair featuring uncompromising design with a high quality backrest and seat that deliver unique comfort. HÅG H09 is a rare example of user-friendly luxury furniture that enables the body and soul flow freely in a modern and advanced way.

HÅG Conventio Wing
A solid lightweight.
HÅG Conventio Wing is a dynamic, specially developed chair for meetings and conferences. The built-in tilt function inspires variation and freedom of movement, which improves blood circulation, concentration and the performance of employees or attention of audiences. The chair is constructed of lightweight materials that can withstand heavy use. Simple maintenance makes the chair especially well-suited for schools, universities, libraries, hotels and conference rooms. In addition to all of this, the wing-shaped backrest gives the chair its attractive appearance.

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Facts about Scandinavian Business Seating

Scandinavian Business Seating owns HÅG as, and is Scandinavia’s leader in the development, design and manufacturing of office chairs and seating groups for private and public office environments. The group comprises the brands HÅG, RH and RBM, which together contribute to realising the company’s vision: “To make the world a better place to sit.”
www.sbseating.com