Herman Miller introduces the multipurpose Setu chairs, designed by Studio 7.5 of Berlin. The company has applied its award-winning seating expertise to a major chair category that has seen little innovation in years.

Multipurpose chairs are used where people sit for shorter periods and frequently move, such as conference rooms, touchdown workstations, and collaborative spaces. The problem is existing multipurpose chairs aren’t designed to handle longer-term sitting and more active use. This was recognized by Studio 7.5, who also designed Herman Miller’s Mirra work chair in 2003.

During their global travels in support of that chair’s international launch, they sat in many different multipurpose chairs along the way. The 7.5 team found the one-piece seat and back typical of multipurpose chairs is not very comfortable; instead comfort is compromised for affordability. Coming home, they recognized a need for a new kind of multipurpose chair — one that combines work-chair principles of motion and comfort with good looks, simplicity, and an affordable price. Herman Miller and Studio 7.5 created Setu to answer those needs, at a list price of $650.

Setu will be introduced at NeoCon 2009 in Chicago, June 15-17.