'Aeron' chair by Bill Stumpf
Object No. 2000/111/1
The 'Aeron' chair represents a completely new direction in adjustable office chair design, both ergonomically and technologically, and has been heralded as the first in a new generation of office chairs. Designed by the American industrial design team Bill Strumpf and Don Chadwick in 1994, the chair has been in constant production since by the American manufacturing company Herman Miller, renowned for its promotion and production of innovative furniture since the 1940s. Such is the reputation of the chair that it has been voted 'Design of the Decade' by Time magazine and by the Industrial Designers Institute of America. With its innovative multiple adjustments for height, tilt, armrest and lumbar postions, the 'Aeron' is able to offer the user a range of seating positions for differing functions while its revolutionary new 'Pellicle' open-weave polyester seat and back covering provide even support to the body on a 'breathable' surface. The chair is also fitted with a device patented by Herman Miller, the 'Kinemat' tilt mechanism, which allows the chair user to automatically recline or sit upright without separate adjustments. The chair is thus one of the first office seating designs to accommodate the multiple functions of today's office worker; its many adjustment mechanisms allow its user to customise the chair to suit the particular task at hand as well as specific body heights and weights. Apart from its radical ergonomic and technological innovations the design and manufacture of the 'Aeron'chair has been sensitive to environmental considerations. The chair is made largely from recycled materials and has been designed to last considerably longer than most office chairs. Although designed in the early 1990s the 'Aeron' remains unsurpassed in its technological and ergonomic innovations and has established a new standard for office chair design. It will remain a landmark of 20th century design and contribute significantly to the direction of design and technology in the 21st century.
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Summary
Object Statement
Office chair, 'Aeron', polymer/ aluminium/ polyester 'Pellicle' upholstery, designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick in 1994, made by Herman Miller Inc, United States of America, 1999
Physical Description
Office chair, 'Aeron', polymer/ aluminium,/ polyester 'Pellicle' upholstery, designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick in 1994, made by Herman Miller Inc, USA, 1999. Office arm chair of black polyester and aluminium, the contoured back and seat covered in polyester mesh 'Pellicle'material with padded armrests attached to arms extending from the lower part of the chair back which is also fitted with a lumbar support device. The chair seat above a system of complex adjustment mechanisms and supported on an extendable pneumatic aluminium column on six splayed legs terminating in castors. The chair is fitted with multiple adjustment mechanisms for a range of seating positions including adjustable lumbar support, armrests, seat height and tilt, the latter incorporating the unique 'Kinemat' tilt mechanism which allows automatic movement from upright to reclining positions.
DIMENSIONS
Height
990 mm
Width
680 mm
Depth
680 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Designed by Bill Strumpf and Don Chadwick in 1994. Born 1936 in St Louis, Bill Stumpf trained as an industrial designer and designed office chairs for Herman Miller before establishing his own consultancy in 1973. Don Chadwick was born in Los Angeles in 1936 and also trained as an industrial designer. He designed the 'Modular Seating' system for Herman Miller in 1974. In 1977 Chadwick and Stumpf formed the design consultancy Chadwick, Stumpf & Associates in Winona, Minnesota, designing the renowned 'Equa' range of office chairs for Herman Miller (1984). Both designers have a long history of innovative office seating design, particularly in their work for Herman Miller over the last thirty years. Made by Herman Miller, Zeeland, Michigan, USA since 1994. The Herman Miller company has a long history of supporting and producing innovative furniture design by many notable designers including Charles Eames and George Nelson in the 1950s and 60s. This chair was designed in 1994.:This chair was made in 1999.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Herman Miller (Aust) Pty Ltd
Acquisition Date
11 October 2000
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