MUKU task chair launches at NeoCon Chicago
Launched at NeoCon in Chicago this week, the MUKU task chair is distilled to the essential elements while prioritising comfort. Designed with Japanese office furniture manufacturer Okamura, the chair is rooted in visual simplicity. The design effortlessly responds to different contexts and user needs while maintaining a consistent identity. Its name, MUKU, means pureness and natural simplicity in Japanese, expressing the design clarity.
Mike Holland, Head of Industrial Design, Foster + Partners, said: “MUKU balances visual and physical lightness with advanced performance. With its adaptability in materials, finishes, and configurations, the chair can transition seamlessly between different environments, maintaining a consistent visual language while responding to the requirements of each setting.”
Developed through an iterative process of design and making, the chair balances traditional techniques and advanced technologies integrating craft, engineering and global regulatory requirements. The design reflects Okamura’s and Foster + Partners Industrial Design’s shared approach, combining precision engineering with refined ergonomics. Every detail has been carefully considered to deliver comfort and intuitive usability. Features such as the layered-cushion lumbar support and adjustable armrests required new engineering approaches, incorporating intricate mechanisms within the chair’s frame.
Sustainability is embedded in both the material selection and the manufacturing process. The chair incorporates recycled aluminium in its structural components and recycled nylon in the plastic elements. Mesh upholstery fabrics are made from recycled yarn and Okamura’s Re:net material, a knitted fabric made from repurposed fishing nets – supporting long-life design, material responsibility, and circular thinking.
MUKU is suitable for both residential and commercial settings, and can be configured as a conference, home-office, or fully adjustable workplace task chair. It functions either as a unique standalone piece or as an integrated element of a larger system.
