If you’ve never been forced to spend time in an uncomfortable office chair, have you ever even had a job? Thankfully, Berlin-based Studio 7.5 has worked with Herman Miller to introduce the Zeph Side Chair. Colorful and ergonomic, the newly extended range of seating works seamlessly with the existing collection. The family, which also includes the Zeph Chair and Zeph Stool, is characterized by a colorful one-piece seat and flexible back. Designers Burkhard Schmitz, Carola Zwick, and Roland Zwick of Studio 7.5 looked to the same research-driven ergonomics to create the Side Chair as the previously released pieces to add comfort to workspaces, hospitality settings, educational environments, and more.
The Zeph Side Chair’s most noteworthy trait is its natural recline that’s a great fit for a variety of applications, something that was previously lacking in the four-legged side and visitor seating category. Schmitz and Zwick worked on the initial design with their respective students at the universities where they teach, tackling prototypes of 3D-printed kinematic plastic mono-shell forms and embedded technologies until they reached their goal of animating a shell chair. All of the experimentation led to more options likely to meet various needs: with and without a 3D-Knit unibody or seat pad, fixed arms or armless, and a base equipped with casters or glides.
“We believe that it’s not natural for humans to sit still, hence our focus on creating dynamic seating solutions. What fascinates us is when users hardly notice that something is in motion,” Studio 7.5 says. “This can only happen if the motion of the chair closely mirrors the body’s movements, contributing seamlessly to the user’s well-being. The design challenge lies in making the technology part look effortless and elegant; the fact that the Zeph shell moves surprises people.”
The design team shares that the main challenge was crafting a four-legged chair base that could support the flexible shell and avoid pinch points. It was important to Studio 7.5 that they retain the structural integrity of the Zeph Side Chair with casters while also ensuring it could support a person without experiencing the “Bambi Effect” where the legs shift outward. There was even exploration into making the chair stackable, but ultimately proved incompatible with the kinetic shell.
The Zeph seating collection and its simple designs offer comfort, colors, and style, made with fewer components to support Herman Miller’s sustainability goals. All three pieces of seating have the option to add a 3D-Knit seat cover tailored to its exact dimensions, which uses 50 percent post-consumer recycled content and reduces fabric waste. The cover can be easily slipped over the shell and swapped out at any time for one of the many colors available when you’re in need of an update. Like the Zeph Chair and Stool, the Zeph Side Chair is available in two-toned or monochromatic color designs.
The Zeph Side Chair is available to contract customers through authorized Herman Miller and MillerKnoll dealers. Visit hermanmiller.com to learn more.
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