Tension Sprung

Our Tension Sprung Technology is a patented system that allows for the ultimate amount of style and comfort to coexist in our chairs. Creating a sprung surface for a cushion to rest upon, our tension springs are a welcome juxtaposition to deep and bulky coil springs that often create lumps, discomfort and an unsightly shape.

Each Tension Sprung chair features springs that are very long compared to a traditional short and thick coil spring. The springs hook side to side, acting almost as a remarkably strong elastic. Each spring is coated with protective plastics to help your furniture stay free from wear and tear as long as possible. The springs themselves are also made of exceptionally high-quality materials, so that they maintain their strength as the years go on.

Because of the length of the springs and their innovative configuration, an elegant seat platform can be placed on top. At the time of Tension Sprung’s invention, all chairs had large, boxy and deep seat bases that were necessary to cover the chairs’ coils. Our new technology allowed for the style of chairs to be completely revitalised, even allowing for chairs with high legs. To this day, our Tension Sprung Technology has stood the test of time.

The History

This technology was first imagined back in the 20s by one of Parker Knoll’s founders, Willi Knoll. Willi Knoll served as a German fighter pilot back in World War I. His experience of uncomfortable seating in his fighter plane was the inspiration for his invention of a new form of sprung furniture, with a coiled steel wire string system across the seat and back. Knoll came to Britain in 1929, years after the end of WW1, to find a manufacturer for his chairs using his unique and innovative patent. Frederick Parker’s son, Tom, saw a sample of Knoll’s chairs at Heal & Son, and the two businesses quickly formed a new company, Parker Knoll, which was launched at the British Industries Fair in February 1931.

Nowadays, you can still find our Tension Sprung technology in our Penshurst, Froxfield and Hartley chairs, which have been beloved by customers for decades.