Ennova Design – The Oasis Shower Chair

Traditional shower chairs often reinforce stigma and discomfort through clinical, institutional design meant for hospitals, not homes. The Oasis Shower Chair was co-designed with lived experience and occupational therapy expertise to identify how clinical-grade support and human-centred design could redefine assistive equipment.The key challenge was to create a chair that met diverse clinical needs, resolved core issues of comfort, portability and adaptability while also feeling intuitive, dignified, and welcoming in a home. By prioritising the human experience, the Oasis Chair redefines assistive technology as functional furniture, transforming a daily necessity into a source of dignity and independence.

The Oasis Chair followed structured feedback sessions throughout the design process. Community members with lived experience shared their insights, and Ennova’s occupational therapist provided clinical expertise. The final design solves the central problems of comfort, ease of transport and storage, and impersonal, institutional design. The soft silicone seat and back pad provide superior comfort compared to cold, hard plastic surfaces. Flexible, bi-directional armrests are multi-functional, supporting sit-to-stand and slide transfers, enabling greater independence when showering. The compact pack-down design allows convenient travel and easy storage whilst elevating the chair from loose equipment to a fully realised object.

The Oasis Chair challenges long-standing perceptions of mobility aids by demonstrating that clinical performance and human-centred design can coexist. By reducing the stigma traditionally associated with shower chairs, the design encourages greater adoption of assistive technology among people who may otherwise avoid it. Increased uptake has the potential to improve safety in home bathrooms where falls are a leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation.Commercially, it introduces a new design standard in the sector, demonstrating that assistive products can prioritise dignity, comfort, and aesthetics alongside safety. The project aims to inspire new mobility aid design projects to prioritise the human experience.

Flexible armrestsBi-directional armrests support sit-to-stand movements and slide transfers with a simple button mechanism. This swing away movement also responds to the person providing the choice of flexibility and greater freedom once seated. This flexibility enables safer transfers and accommodates multiple mobility needs.Human-centred comfortSoft silicone seat and back pads replace the rigid plastic that is typical of traditional shower chairs. The removable pads improve comfort for users with sensitive pressure areas and allow easy cleaning and maintenance.Compact portabilityThe Oasis Chair features a compact pack-down structure with an integrated leg storage compartment. that allows it to be stored or transported easily without breaking into multiple loose components. This supports travel, overnight stays and shared bathrooms where equipment may need to be moved or stored.Contemporary design languageContemporary colours and refined forms allow the chair to integrate into home environments rather than resemble clinical equipment. This helps reduce stigma and encourages greater acceptance of assistive technology.Precision adjustabilityHeight-adjustable legs allow accurate setup for individual users, supporting safer transfers and correct ergonomic positioning.