Chicago, Illinois, USA
Acclaimed industrial designer Von Robinson of Play Orbit Studio has teamed up with healthcare furnishing leader, Kwalu, to debut the Ellie Collection—a warm and welcoming seating series created to inspire healing and connection in traditionally sterile healthcare spaces. Prioritizing dignity and facilitating early mobility, the new patient recliner and sleeper sofa employ a biophilic design language grounded in neuroaesthetics to soothe the brain’s amygdala, lower stress, boost mood, reduce heart rate, inspire action, and more. Ellie marks a bold evolution in Robinson’s ongoing exploration of biophilic strategies that nurture holistic wellness in the built environment.
“Thoughtfully designed using natural forms, materials, and rhythms, Ellie humanizes the patient experience, softening cold, harsh clinical spaces by addressing holistic well-being,” explains Robinson. “With Ellie, we used a lot of curves—we’re made of curves, nature’s made of curves, and curves help healing—so we sought to establish this nonverbal communication between the person and the object. Ellie reinforces the idea that beauty and form are not a luxury, but a therapeutic imperative.”
Drawing on his experience as Principal Designer at Steelcase Health, where he specialized in sensing technologies and human-object interaction, Robinson brings a deep understanding of the nuances of care environments. Ellie reflects this expertise through an emotionally attuned non-medical aesthetic that not only reduces anxiety and improves cognitive function, but also supports patient autonomy, caregiver ease, and more meaningful interaction between care partners. Unlike conventional healthcare recliners and sleepers, Ellie’s graceful contours and innovative “embrace back” gently cradle the user and provide non-stigmatizing passive lateral support to encourage an upright posture. The recliner, specially integrated with footrests that tuck under the seat for optimal sit-to-stand positioning, further encourages patients to transition out of bed — contributing to improved health outcomes and faster recovery.
Alongside these unique attributes, the recliner offers a full complement of high-performance features aligned with modern clinical standards, such as integrated push bars, IV pole holders, foley bag hooks, transfer arms, and even heat and massage options. The companion sleeper sofa provides visual continuity between family and patient zones, inviting care partners into the healing space with a multifunctional design that allows them to rest, work, or simply be present. Optional integrated tables, storage, power access, and smooth, mechanism-free recline options enable additional versatility and noise reduction.
Ideal for inpatient settings, including acute care and med-surgical settings, Ellie is engineered to withstand the rigors of continuous use. Integrated with high-touch surfaces and Kwalu’s proprietary Protea™—a non-porous material that resists scuffs and endures healthcare-grade cleaning requirements while maintaining a refined look and feel—the series balances performance with beauty. Backed by a 10-year warranty, Ellie offers lasting durability and peace of mind in high-traffic care settings. “Every detail of Ellie has been carefully considered to instill comfort, care, and performance,” says David Carlson, VP Product Development at Kwalu. “Von’s work is grounded in empathy. Using a human-centered, insight-driven process, he’s created a dynamic collection that addresses the real-world needs of both patients and caregivers—reinforcing a sense of healing, purpose, and connection.”
About Von Robinson: Von Robinson is an award-winning American industrial designer and founder of Play Orbit Studio, acclaimed for his insight-driven and poetic healthcare and high-end products for esteemed global brands, including Moroso, Steelcase, Kwalu, Rado Watch Company, and Estée Lauder. A multi-time recipient of numerous awards, Robinson is a sought-after speaker on healthcare design and design-thinking, lecturing at prominent institutions and events worldwide, such as ICFF, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Mayo Transform, and the Medical World Americas (MWA).
