2009 Varier Human Instruments Catalogue...formerly known as the "Active Collection"

2. Human Instruments
Your body is engineered for movement. Activity is essential to its
wellbeing. A conventional chair is an instrument of inactivity,
fundamentally unsuited to the human body. We don’t make
conventional chairs. We create precision human instruments to
keep your body in its natural state of activity.
Variér® Human Instruments – born of a human idea

3. Variér . A Human Idea
®
Our philosophy:
Variér® chairs are the product of a human idea. We make the
human body central to design, learning it by heart. We know
which positions promote relaxation, and where and how to sup-
port the body. The human body is designed for motion, and
should never be still for too long. We make chairs that meet all
these needs, and then we free our human imaginations to create
bold, unconventional forms with perfect functionality.

4. Take back control
pressure off your vertebrae and letting you breathe more deeply
“I believe that the spine is happiest when it can adopt the natural curva-
and freely.
ture that it has when we stand upright.”
Peter Opsvik
Variér® Human Instruments give your body the freedom to find
its own equilibrium. The chairs promote constant natural move-
There is no scientific basis for the belief that the correct sitting ment, which keeps your back and abdominal muscles working at
posture is erect or right-angled. This belief is based entirely on all times – strengthening your muscles and preventing tension
Victorian notions of ‘character’ and physical self-discipline. In build-up in back, neck and shoulders.
fact, it is much better for the body to adopt a sitting position that
is not right-angled and stiff, but open and dynamic. Some of the chairs also incorporate a backrest to provide the
dynamic variation ideal for a long day of work and leisure. Tilt
Variér® Human Instruments help you achieve just that. Designed forwards for high-energy activity, and rock or lean backwards
for relaxation. However you sit, your spine will be supported
to support the body in a seated kneeling position, or on curved
perfectly.
runners, the seats of the chairs do, or can, tilt downwards. The
tilted seat creates a healthier sitting position – where your thighs
are not horizontal, but instead create an angle of greater than 90 This ‘active sitting’ improves circulation and oxygen levels, boost-
degrees to your torso. This allows the body to adopt the natural ing your energy, your concentration and your overall wellbeing.
curvature of spine and pelvis it has when standing; taking the

5. At desk: The upright kneeling position frees the body
to adopt its natural curvature; breathing is enhanced
and pressure on the spine is minimized
Reaching: If you stretch out to reach something, and
place your feet on the floor, you still retain minimal
strain on your spine
Relaxation: The Variable balans® also comes with a
slim backrest, which provides complete support
when you lean back.
positive
REACTION
The Variable balans® both encourages your body to move and much faster, as the chair encourages an upright, ‘alert’ posture
reacts to every one of its movements. Body and chair, action that promotes concentration and creativity. It is also perfect for a
and reaction, in a cycle of continuous motion that energizes and child’s bedroom desk – enhancing posture, breathing and energy
enlivens your body and mind. levels and potentially improving homework performance. The
Variable balans® has the added benefit that it activates and
The first chair designed on the balans® concept, the Variable strengthens back and abdominal muscles while you work.
balans®, is a true classic. The design is almost thirty years old, yet
it looks as fresh today as it did when first launched. As versatile
VARIABLE™ BALANS® as you are and light enough to carry over one arm, the Variable
balans® is the perfect instrument for the varied demands of
Design: Peter Opsvik
modern lifestyles. A morning spent working at your desk goes
Balans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

6. At desk: The upright kneeling position frees the body
to adopt its natural curvature; breathing is enhanced
and pressure on the vertebrae is minimized.
Relaxation: Position your elbows on the backrest
‘wings’, lean back and unwind.
listen to
YOUR BODY
The depth of the Thatsit balans® seat allows you to sit for long
Your body is designed for movement, but spends most of the day
sitting still. The result: a variety of aches and pains. The Thatsit periods, making it an ideal chair for your desk. And when you’ve
balans® gives your body the mobility it needs. It’s the chair your finished for the day, the Thatsit balans® can also see your children
body has been asking for. through their homework assignments, thanks to its height-adjust-
able kneepads.
The classic balans® kneeling posture of the Thatsit balans® opens
the angle between your torso and thighs. This frees your spine to
find its natural curve and encourages an ‘alert’ posture that aids
concentration. And when relaxation is the order of the day, you
THATSIT™ BALANS®
can position your elbows behind your torso on the ‘wings’ of the
backrest. In this position you can stretch your upper body, raise Design: Peter Opsvik
your rib cage and breathe more deeply and freely. Balans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

7. At desk or table: Achieve optimal energy and spinal
alignment in a supported standing position.
In motion: If you stretch up or move downwards to
reach something, the Move will follow your move-
ment and provide support.
unlimited mobility
CONTROL
you can really open up the angle between your torso and thighs,
Enjoy the ultimate in active sitting: put your body in the driving
allowing deeper breathing, improving concentration and relieving
seat. Whether you’re catching up on e-mails in the kitchen or
the pressure on your spine. The constant motion also serves as an
multi-tasking over breakfast on the phone, the versatile Move lets
effortless workout. Of all the chairs in this collection, the Move is
your body go wherever it feels it needs to be.
the one that has the most positive impact on your back and
abdominal muscles.
With 360 degrees of movement to choose from, the Move is
bound to have a position to suit you. This blend of chair and
The lightweight construction of the Move makes it portable as
standing support has a graded disc base, so its tilting angle can
well as manoeuvrable, and the disc base can be fitted with a rubber
follow your body through a range of positions. Its saddle shaped
MOVE™ sole for slippery surfaces. Which means you can enjoy 360 degrees
seat is an essential element of the Move, making it impossible to
of freedom just about anywhere.
slide off, even with your thighs positioned vertically. This means
Design: Per Øie

8. Power nap/deep thought: Rock back, raise your feet
above your heart and experience a liberating floating
sensation, with full support of cervical spine and back.
Reading or watching TV: Lean back and unwind
with supple support for arms, back and neck.
Active relaxation: The adjustable neck rest and back
rest offers perfect support of your cervical spine and
back.
Returning to earth: Rock gently forwards, and the
Gravity balans® will deliver you smoothly back to
earth, so you can assume an upright position to drink
your coffee, or reach for a book.
energy
JUMPSTART
But the Gravity balans® is not just a recliner. Its range of seating
The power nap is an invaluable instrument in your quest for pro-
ductivity, boosting energy levels and recharging your brain. positions support every activity, whether you are enjoying coffee
Float free of gravity and experience the ultimate power nap with with friends, or relaxing in front of the TV. It tilts forwards to
the Gravity balans®. accommodate the balans® kneeling posture, backwards to allow
you to place your feet on the floor and further back still so you can
Fully reclined, the Gravity balans® elevates your legs above your curl up, resting both feet on one leg cushion.
heart, and rocks gently to the rhythm of your breathing, so you
GRAVITY™ BALANS®
experience a liberating sense of weightlessness. The back and
neck rests are designed to cradle the back of your body so you can Design: Peter Opsvik
achieve total relaxation. Balans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

9. At desk or table: The upright kneeling position lets the
body move to adopt its natural curvature; breathing is
enhanced and pressure on the vertebrae is minimized.
cutting edge
CHOICE
Wherever you’re going and whatever you’re doing, take the Multi Because it is light enough to carry easily, and it folds up flat so you
balans® along. This multi-function sitting instrument is portable, can hang it or stow it up against the wall.
height adjustable and supports a range of sitting positions, so you
never know when it will come in useful.
Designed to create an open angle between the torso and thighs,
the Multi balans® gives you the freedom to decide just how open
that angle should be. At its steepest setting, the Multi balans®
MULTI™ BALANS® places almost as little strain on the back as a standing posture,
while at its lowest it can function as a child’s chair and worktable
Design: Peter Opsvik
in one. But this remarkable chair’s flexibility doesn’t end there.
Balans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

10. At desk: Let your spine adopt its natural curvature:
improve breathing, circulation and reduce the pressure
on your spine.
time in
MOTION
wards, encouraging regular shifts in posture. Instead of the erect
The seconds are ticking away, and the deadline is looming, but
or right-angled posture imposed by traditional office chairs, the
your productivity is still high. The Wing balans® promotes active
Wing balans® supports you in the classic balans® kneeling pos-
sitting and keeps you breathing deeply, giving your energy levels
and powers of concentration an invaluable boost. ture. This creates a balanced torso and allows your spine to find
its natural curve. The Wing balans® also comes with an adjustable
Don’t be fooled by appearances. The Wing balans® resembles a gas lift, making it easily adjustable to a range of activities and
conventional office chair at first glance, because it sits on casters. different desk heights.
These make it ideal for work that involves a lot of movement
around a confined space. The similarity ends there, and every
WING™ BALANS®
detail that differentiates this chair from a standard office is instru-
mental in raising your productivity. The casters are flexible, so the Design: Peter Opsvik
chair responds to your body weight to tip you forwards or back- Balans® concept: Hans Chr. Mengshoel

11. The rhythm of life
a ball rolling on a flat surface, which eventually finds its balance
Some of our Human Instruments have been refined to incorpo-
and comes to rest. In a rocking chair, the curved runners find this
rate curved runners. Curved runners do not only create a rhyth-
balance when they meet the sitter’s centre of gravity. The result
mically soothing sensation; they also follow your body’s move-
is that your body finds its ideal sitting position instinctively, with
ments to provide support through a range of postures. The most
the torso and thighs creating an open angle, taking pressure off
comfortable way to sit at a table is leaning forwards or backwards,
the spine.
never upright. A chair on curved runners can follow your body
into both these postures.
With a number of clever modifications to this traditional design,
Variér® created the Actulum and Pendulum: two thoroughly
These rocking chairs have a further advantage that is only now
becoming understood. The curved runners imitate the motion of modern takes on classic functionality and style.

12. At your desk: Enjoy the perfect sitting position with
your spine adopting its natural curvature.
Relaxation (Actulum): Lean back and unwind, and
enjoy complete support from the flexible backrest.
Relaxation (Pendulum): Position your elbows behind
your torso to stretch your upper body and breathe
more deeply and freely.
don’t get stuck in one
POSITION
rium. The tilting action of the runners facilitates an angle between
Life is a voyage of rest and motion, recreation and work, taking
your thighs and torso, which is greater than 90 degrees. This
you from desk to dining table and from kitchen to living room.
allows you to breathe more deeply, improving both concentration
Enhance your journey with the Actulum or Pendulum – instru-
and relaxation.
ments designed to move along with you, guiding and supporting
your body as you go.
ACTULUM™
At rest and in motion, the curved runners of these active chairs
ensure that you are sitting well and fully supported. As you move Design: Peter Opsvik
backwards and forwards, the runners allow the chair to tilt with
PENDULUM™
your body. When you are still, the chair naturally comes to rest in
a balanced position, allowing your body to find its own equilib- Design: Peter Opsvik

13. Exercise choice
Every chair in this Variér® collection is available in a range of
fabrics, colours and finishes. Design your own chair by combining
colours and finishes to complement any interior, from a child’s
playroom to a luxury dining room.

14. Quality
to offer a five-year guarantee on the mechanism and a seven-year
When you choose a Variér® chair, you’re choosing a product that
guarantee on wooden parts. So you can be confident that your
will be handcrafted by skilled artisans. Your chair will be created
Variér® chair will last.
at our Norwegian workshop to your individual specifications.
Only the very best materials will go into its creation. Finally, it
will be subjected to rigorous quality testing before it is shipped Products that serve more than one purpose reduce the demand on
to you. the earth’s resources. Every chair in this collection is suited to a
range of activities and most are portable so they can be used
The individual care and attention that each one of our chairs across a range of environments. Products that are designed to last
receives at every stage of the production process ensures that we also reduce the demand on the earth’s resources. Every Variér®
are supremely confident in their quality. We are confident enough chair is guaranteed to give you years of service.

15. www.varierfurniture.com
Variér Furniture AS | Håhjem | 6260 Skodje | Norway