Manufacturer: Vitra | Designer: Studio OE, 2026
Recline Without Readjusting
The Bascule Highback Lounge Chair by Studio OE, Anne-Sophie Oberkrome and Lisa Ertel, combines a relaxed, jacket-like fabric cover with a concealed movement mechanism. Its name comes from the French word for seesaw. As you shift your weight, the mechanism adjusts automatically, following you from upright sitting into a deep recline without a manual lever.
The generously cut cover gives the chair its soft silhouette while allowing the full range of movement. A height-adjustable neck cushion supports the highback design, and the four-star aluminium swivel base is offered in powder-coated or blasted finishes. Choose a lower or higher seat height to suit your space. The removable cover can be professionally cleaned or replaced, and the chair's individual elements can be repaired or exchanged.
For UK fire safety compliance, the seat and neck cushion use conventional polyurethane foam rather than Vitra's recyclable V-Foam; the back cushion and armrests use fibre-ball filling rather than recycled PET fibre. The loose cover and soft cushioning are designed to move with you, so folds and creases in the fabric, pressure marks after sitting, and some visible outlines of the chamber cushions are normal. How noticeable they are will depend on the chosen fabric. Regularly shake and plump the cushions to help them keep their fullness and shape.
For more information on available fabrics and leathers, visit the Vitra Colour & Material Library.
Specifications
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Dimensions (Seat height 38cm): W85 × D85–120 × H101.5–112.5cm (seat height 38cm, 30cm under load)
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Dimensions (Seat height 43cm): W85 × D85–120 × H101.5–112.5cm (seat height 43cm, 35cm under load)
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Further dimensions: depth varies as the chair reclines; overall height depends on the adjustable neck cushion. Seat width 56.5cm; seat depth 50cm; armrest height 56cm or 61cm; base width 54cm.
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Structure: powder-coated tubular steel frame with tensioned fabric back; concealed steel mechanism with automatic weight adjustment.
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Cushions: UK-specification polyurethane foam in the seat and neck cushion; fibre-ball filling in the back cushion and armrests.
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Base: four-star swivel base in die-cast aluminium, powder-coated or blasted; low or high seat height.
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Upholstery: loosely fitted, removable fabric cover.
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Glides: hard glides for carpet; felt glides for hard floors available on request.
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Care: shake and plump cushions regularly. Have the removable cover professionally cleaned to prevent shrinkage or damage; do not machine-wash.
Prices shown are for single-fabric upholstery. Both Bascule Highback and Lowback are available in duo-tone in the same fabric group for a surcharge. The Highback is also available with a wooden base; the Lowback with a four-star or wooden base. Contact us for other configurations.
Part of the Vitra Lounge Chairs collection.
