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Design
Story
The
Celle chair began in the imagination of designer Jerome Caruso. He envisioned a
highly engineered, intelligent seating surface composed of hundreds of
small cells and loops that would support and respond to different areas
of the body.
To implement this vision, research focused on optimizing the chair's
performance, particularly the patented Cellular Suspension.
To meet
the project mandate that Celle be more comfortable than other chairs in
its price segment, several research methodologies were used, including
end-user evaluations, benchmarking, and expert-opinion research by
ergonomists and biomechanical professionals from around the country.
From an
ergonomics standpoint, Celle follows the lead of Herman Miller's Aeron
and Mirra work chairs, with five ergonomics issues integral to the
design all three:
- Size and fit. Anthropometric data from CAESAR (Civilian American and
European Surface Anthropometry Resource) and other sources was used to
ensure the chair fits different body shapes and sizes.
- Pelvic stabilization. The Celle backrest has Herman Miller's
integrated, passive PostureFit contour.
- Kinematics. Herman Miller's proven Harmonic tilt mechanism was
applied on Celle.
- Pressure distribution. Throughout Celle's development process, Herman
Miller used its pressure-mapping capabilities to inform the design of
the cellular size, flex regions, and contouring.
- Thermal comfort. Special temperature sensors, called thermocouples,
were used to evaluate upholstery options and inform textile
selection.
From an
aesthetics standpoint, Cellular Suspension was designed to update and
redefine the look of low- to mid-price work chairs, where thick
foam-and-fabric seats and backs remain the norm. The color offering was
created to support the chair's application flexibility and address
important trends. Inspirations for the palette include:
- New architecture. The trend is toward darker, warmer tones in
architecture and interior design.
- Nature. Rich, saturated tones for a timeless, classic look.
- Global influences. Colors that appeal to international customers.
- Design trends. Chairs are being specified to have a more neutral
presence in office environments so they don't compete visually with
other design elements.
With
these trends as a guide, Celle's broad yet concise color selection goes
beyond what is expected in the price range.
From an
environmental standpoint, Celle was developed using Herman Miller's
Design for Environment cradle-to-cradle protocol, which establishes
strict standards for recyclability, safe content, easy disassembly,
minimal packaging, and minimal waste. As a result, like all Herman
Miller products, Celle fits into the company's vision of sustainable
design.
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