Vitra produced the first industrially chair by Maarten Van Severen, the .03. This chair was novel in its combination of visually austere form with high-level seating comfort.

What makes this possible is that the seemingly rigid polyurethane shell gives and responds to movements in the seat and to an even greater degree in the back. Based on the same concept, a swivel chair, .04, and the MVS Chaise have now been produced. The polyurethane is selectively attached to the inner construction to provide a controlled degree of give in those areas where we want shaping. The MVS Chaise first comes across as a sculptural object. It is only after sitting in the chair that the user experiences the comfort enabled by the elastic give of the material. It goes in offices, studios, ateliers or at home – wherever you want to restore your energy with a short nap. Sleep researchers have proven that a brief rest of up to 30 minutes (so-called power sleep) during the day is an excellent way to prevent a drop-off in performance. Vitra sees this possibility as becoming something for all employees, not just the executive classes. Graphically austere in its appearance, the new .04 swivel chair differs significantly from swivel chairs for the institutional office. The chair gives no outward indication of its functionality yet this object, whose primary appeal first seems to lie in its form, proves comfortable and well suited for sitting over many hours. This can be attributed to two invisible factors: the flexibility of the shell (as familiar from the .03) and the tilt mechanism set into the aluminium bridge