When is a chair not a chair?

Image via Vitra

When it’s a… strap?! Vitra takes a new hyper-minimalistic approach in their new "Chairless" design, which is essentially a strap that works with your body’s ergonomics to keep you upright and steady while sitting on any surface. Instead of having to sprawl or lean backwards or slouch, the strp, designed by Alejandro Aravena, wraps around your knees and back to balance your weight. While part of me thinks this is lovely, minimal, and smart (certainly bearing a small footprint), I also wonder whether this type of design is why so much of design has come to be viewed as frivalous and misdirected (what do you think?). According to the market, I might be wrong, as the entire first batch has sold out. One good thing: Vitra donates part of the proceeds from the sales of Chairless to support the Foundation for Paraguayan Indian Communities, an organization that aids in securing land as a livelihood for the indigenous population of Paraguay. For now, I’ll remain on the fence. Or perhaps I’ll make my own out of an old necktie and report back.

Image via Vitra