VS America, Inc., the full-service manufacturer that provides dynamic furniture and integrative solutions, today announced the launch of the JUMPER suite of chairs to the American and Canadian markets. Adaptable and durable, the JUMPER chair is also active, lively, and versatile. Options for either an air- cushioned polypropylene or shaped wooden seat shell are available. It comes in six sizes as a school chair and two sizes for office use, with five frame variants and a variety of color choices.
JUMPER was designed by Jean Nouvel, one of the most influential architects and designers of the present day. His buildings have changed the face of architecture worldwide. Among many other awards, he won the Pritzker Prize, the Nobel Prize for architecture.
“I was thrilled to get the request from VS, quite simply because Verner Panton is one of my great idols, so the request to develop a chair following his era of great work was a compliment and pleasure for me,” said Jean Nouvel, architect and designer. “It was also a great challenge for me, because this chair had to be suitable for everyone – for children, students, people at work, and even those who want to have it in their homes.”
JUMPER is a chair for any occasion and every generation – for every body, everywhere. This highly flexible chair is designed for active sitting anywhere – classrooms, cafeterias, libraries, offices, conference rooms, and more. The ergonomic shape and features help maintain correct back posture, while encouraging natural body movement – improving alertness, concentration, and well-being.
“The Panto family of chairs that we launched in the ’90s set a new standard for classroom furnishings worldwide,” said Claudius Reckord, CEO of VS America. “This year we are excited to launch the next evolution of truly agile furniture – JUMPER, our newest chair for use across K-12 schools, universities, and workplaces. It’s been an honor to partner with Jean Nouvel and to see his creativity manifest in such thoughtful, inventive ways in the design of JUMPER.”
The JUMPER Air models are characterized by their double-walled seat shell manufactured from recyclable polypropylene, and the air-cushion effect makes the chair very comfortable. The JUMPER Ply models are made from stained, molded beech plywood. This natural material brings a sense of warmth to any room and has a pleasant, tactile nature.
The forward-flexing cantilever chair, JUMPER Air Active, is the first school and office chair to be awarded Cradle to Cradle certification in silver. Cradle to Cradle certification proves that the tested product is manufactured exclusively using materials that are harmless to people and the environment. The JUMPER chairs have also been awarded the BIFMA LEVEL 3 sustainability certificate, European LEVEL 3 sustainability certificate, and the quality label from the Healthy Back Campaign, among others.
“If you want to jump, you have to be flexible, so JUMPER cannot be rigid, it has to support the movement. Thanks to its inner tension, form, and flexibility, and also the structure, we have real flexibility in the true sense of the word,” continued Jean Nouvel.
The JUMPER chairs are being unveiled at the NeoCon show in Chicago from June 10 – 12, in the VS showroom #1167. This year VS is also revealing a new showroom at the Mart, created by Jean Nouvel Design.
About VS America, Inc.
VS America, Inc. provides adaptable and ergonomic educational furniture solutions which allow for the creation of agile learning environments. VS America originates from a history of ergonomic innovation that dates back to 1898 with VS in Germany, the leading manufacturer of educational furniture. Built around the student’s learning experience, VS’ ergonomic, flexible, and mobile products empower students to engage their senses while learning, creating heightened focus, stronger motivation, and a sense of well-being. VS’ innovative and integrative products continue to inspire creativity, promote autonomy, and encourage collaboration throughout educational facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vsamerica.com.
About Jean Nouvel Design
Jean Nouvel Design is a multidisciplinary team working in the fields of furniture design, interior design, scenography, and visual communications.
Jean Nouvel’s œuvre follows the tradition of philosopher architects who design whole worlds of all dimensions. An urbanist and an architect, Jean Nouvel is also a designer because he rejects labels: “I see no difference between when I design a chair and when I imagine a building. I see every project as a complete design program in itself. For every challenge posed, I seek the ‘elementary’ object whose finished form corresponds to an idea. It’s always a fitting and unique answer that bears witness, culturally and technically, to our times and to our civilization.”
Jean Nouvel created JND (Jean Nouvel Design) in 1995 to complement the architecture firm, AJN (Ateliers Jean Nouvel), through its specific design work. Since its inception, Jean Nouvel Design has developed and edited over a hundred objects and pieces of furniture.
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