Designer Peter Opsvik studied ergonomics at the Folkwangschule für Gestaltung in Essen since 1970, and, upon his return to Norway, pioneered ergonomic design from Scandinavia. In 1972, Opsvik’s two-year-old son had grown out of his high chair, but when he sat on a regular chair his head barely reached above the kitchen table. Faced with that, the father-designer had a flash of inspiration: he would design a chair to grow with his child. The basic idea of the Tripp Trapp is that the child should be able to sit at the table on the same terms as adults. In that sense, it can be considered inclusive design – but more importantly, perhaps, it is a benchmark in ergonomic seating.
The Tripp Trapp’s key feature is its lower board, which functions as an adjustable platform and thus assures that the feet of children – no matter their age or size – do not dangle, but are instead firmly supported by this adjustable footrest. As a result, the child can move about and shift positions using the legs to push off, thereby facilitating active, dynamic sitting habits previously unavailable to children, which was a key aspect of Opsviks approach to ergonomics. Originally designed for children aged two and up, a plastic inlay was later added as an optional extra to prevent younger children from falling off the chair.
Text: Kjetil Fallan
