Classic 21st century design – Wilkhahn Occo

In January we published an article on the new legislation that theoretically puts an end to fake classics in the UK market and in which we also bemoaned a lack of new classic designs. This series aims to showcase new designs that we think may be the classics of the next generation.

First up is Occo, the new multi-functional side chair from German manufacturer Wilkhahn.

For Wilkhahn, designers Markus Jehs and Jürgen Laub have come up with a chair and table range which is perfectly coordinated with one another. Occo combines enormous versatility and a vast choice of design options with a clear and immediately identifiable design language. Occo was launched at Orgatec last October and is already winner of a 2017 IF Design Award.

Occo shares a family resemblance to the Graph chair (left), also by Jehs & Laub

The characteristic shape of the seat and backrest shell is reminiscent of the Wilkhahn Graph chair, also by Jehs & Laub, and is a perfect complimentary product. The seat itself is very rigid, but the back is exceptionally flexible due to its shape and the different thicknesses of the material. Four frame types, three types of cushioning and six shells produce a total of 72 variants that respond to virtually all functional and design requirements.

Occo Options:

4-leg, metal or wood, 4-star glides or 5-star castors. All metal legs and star bases are available in chrome as well as textured matt finishes: white, black, grey, grey-beige, orange-red or blue-grey.

The seat shell is dyed polypropylene available in white, black, grey, grey-beige, orange-red or blue-grey.

An optional felt seat pad is available for some chairs in the range in anthracite, light mottled, graphite, mango, verde or deep water with further fabric choices available throughout the range.