I'd seen this in a Herman Miller ad in Metropolis last month, and this month they had a full article about the new line called Setu (stupid name - Hindi word for "bridge"... why not just call it the Bridge Chair?)
I find them really fascinating in that they seem to be so closely aligned with the Eames Aluminum group in look and some structure - although that doesnt appear to be the main inspiration. I'm also really impressed that Studio 7.5 (they did the Mirra for HM) has designed a chair system, not just a chair.
The backrest is an integrated spring system, which allows the chair to recline without any sort of tension knob. Since all of the mechanics are located within the seat frame the base can be just about anything: a pedestal base, mounted in tandem, stacking (coming in the fall)or on casters.
Aesthetically I don't really love the bases...I find them a tad too muscular and agressive.
And, priced in the mid 600$ range according to Metropolis. For further enjoyment I suggest reading the Setu article, and immediately following it by reading the Generations article about Knoll's new task chair. Looks awful and expensive too.
I like the idea of the...
I like the idea of the perforated profiles, but why use it in such a mislead attempt to redo a classic design?
By the way, there's a relatively new video from Eames Demetrios on the vitra youtube-page in which he shows how the Alu Chairs were developed and are manufactured today.
Very informative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0focEFg-Z9k
Really?
Huh...I'm a little surprised. While these are clearly influenced by the Aluminum Group - and how could you work at Herman Miller and NOT be? - I don't think they are an attempt to steal the form at all.
The human back curves, and a look at the profile of any chair follows that same basic curve. Take a look at Risom's Vostra lounge, Saarinen's Tulip chair, Panton's S chair, or even HumanScale's Freedom chair and you'll see the same line. The suspension idea was first done by the Eames, but does that mean it can't be done again?
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