 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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