Wat het doet
Via is a wall-mounted folding seat that makes stairs usable for elderly people. It creates safe resting spots within stairwells, promoting movement, independence, and mental security – using simple technology and a clear design.
Je inspriatie
The idea for Via originated from a story told by a physiotherapist: an elderly patient wanted to celebrate Christmas with her daughter on the 4th floor – but he wasn't sure if she could manage the stairs. This inspired me to make stairways more accessible. A quote from sports physician Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss shaped the development: to view stairs not as barriers, but as opportunities for movement. Especially in old age, staying active helps maintain strength and balance. Observations and tests showed: taking breaks provides a sense of safety and enables stair climbing in stages – a key to independent mobility.
Hoe het werkt
Via is a foldable wall-mounted seat for stairwells. It offers elderly people a simple way to pause. Installed on every floor, it creates a zone for breaks, making stair use manageable in steps. After use, the seat folds up automatically – a gas spring keeps escape routes clear. The structure is self-supporting and can be mounted on non-load-bearing walls with just a few screws. It operates purely mechanically, without electricity or complex technology. The design is tailored to the needs of people who struggle with stairs: the elevated seat height makes it easier to stand up, a tall backrest supports a stable sitting posture, and clearly defined grip zones assist in sitting down and getting up. The chair is designed for circularity: it consists primarily of aluminum, and all connections are screwed – ensuring reparability and recyclability.
Ontwerpproces
The design process began with the question: how can I make stairs easier for elderly people? I started by analyzing current coping strategies: where do people rest when exhausted? What improvised aids do they use? Interviews with affected individuals and experts, as well as self-experiments with an age-simulation suit, revealed that the feeling of safety is crucial – yet suitable, visible solutions are often lacking. This led to the idea of creating intentional rest spots in stairwells. Central to the design process was the folding mechanism: it had to be intuitive, safe, and fully mechanical. A functional model helped develop and test the mechanism. Simultaneously, the appearance in the folded-up state was carefully designed: an abstract silhouette clearly signals its function. Full-scale mock-ups were used to fine-tune height, grip positions, and seating geometry. The choice of materials – aluminum and oak wood – was based on functional and tactile criteria.
Hoe onderscheidend is het?
Via is not intended to make stairs effortlessly passable like a stairlift, but to delay the moment of being overwhelmed. Stairs should be seen not only as obstacles, but also as resources for movement – movement that promotes health in old age. Two Via chairs placed opposite each other create a small zone for social interaction. They invite spontaneous conversations and help counteract loneliness in old age. Folded up, Via becomes a graphic gesture – almost like a drawing of a chair. This abstraction signals its function and raises awareness that stairs are not equally accessible for everyone. Via is a contribution to a dignified, age-friendly everyday life. It demonstrates how design can create social value with simple means – not through replacement, but through empowerment.
Toekomstplannen
The next step is building a prototype that can be tested in everyday use. For this, I am seeking partners in the housing sector to install “Via” in a real stairwell. The goal is to evaluate the construction, optimize usability, and gather insights. Afterwards, “Via” will be produced in series and used in more buildings – wherever stairs complicate daily life.
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