Newcomer Pronta Offers Modern, Colorful Take on
one of the World's Most Common Furniture Pieces
ZEELAND,
Mich., May 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stacking
chairs are one of the world's most unassuming objects. They are
used nearly every day without a second thought—unless, that is, if
they are poorly designed. Too heavy and they are frustrating to
lift. Too light and the sitter fears it breaking. Too ornate and
the room is cluttered. Too boring and the room becomes sterile. It
appears these simple pieces aren't so simple after all—a challenge
the design team at Herman Miller met head on with their latest
project, the Pronta stacking chair.
"Stacking chairs, while simple in function, are complex to
create," says Joe Van Faasen, Design
Director at Herman Miller. "The chairs naturally must be durable,
uncomplicated, and compact. However, even slight modifications,
like the angles of the legs or the shape of the seat, make a marked
difference between the chair appearing welcoming and inviting or
cold and rigid when viewed as a sea of 100 uniform chairs grouped
together in a room."
As the team worked to build Pronta, Van
Faasen gave the chair a relatively square back, with a clean
profile outlined by slightly curved edges. While appearing straight
from the front, the legs are rounded at the corners, playfully
sweeping along the dip of the seat and finishing with a diagonal
stretch toward the ground. The vertical legs are also parallel with
each other, specifically designed to emanate harmony whether the
chair is standing alone or in a group. The sculpted seat is
comfortable and flexible— a single, unbroken piece of lightweight
polypropylene that offers support to a wide range of users,
seamlessly accommodating the various ways people sit in chairs.
"Pronta sits squarely in the middle between expression and
quietness," says Van Faasen. "These
sorts of products are rarely used alone, leading us to create a
gentle, crisp silhouette that communicates balance and visual
continuity when grouped together. We strove for colors and details
that make it distinct yet not overpowering when repeated again and
again in a space."
Pronta is Herman Miller's first stacking chair to be dipped in
color, offering smooth, monochromatic color options with the
opportunity to mix and match colors between the legs and the chair
itself. The polypropylene shell ensures the chair is light yet
durable, and its straightforward construction validates that
preparing the chair for recycling at end of life can be done with
ease. The unique construction of the legs further aids the
durability of the chair, as each leg fits snugly into deep rod
pockets that extend upward capturing the back support and
minimizing the need for extensive mechanical attachments. The
choice of using a polypropylene shell also elevates the hygienic
properties of the chair, as the entire surface of the chair is
wipeable.
While durability and ease of use were critical considerations
for the construction of the chair, the team also completely
redesigned the cart accompanying the chairs. Instead of requiring
users to stack chairs in a single, tall stack, the team created an
easily maneuverable cart that stores two stacks of 18 chairs
opposite each other for a total of 36 chairs per cart. The carts
significantly reduce the amount of reaching users need to exert
when removing chairs or restacking them for storage. Alternatively,
Pronta can be stacked in columns of 10 on the floor.
"Simple things are often the hardest to construct," says
Van Faasen, "But when executed
correctly, they allow the sophistication of the process to
shine."
Pronta is available now through certified Herman Miller Dealers
and online.
About Herman Miller
Herman Miller is a globally
recognized leader in design. Since its inception in 1905, the
company's innovative, problem-solving designs and furnishings have
inspired the best in people. Herman Miller is guided by an
enduring legacy of design, innovation, and social good. In 2021,
Herman Miller and Knoll created MillerKnoll, a collective
of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world
we live in.
About MillerKnoll
MillerKnoll is a collective of
dynamic brands and one of the largest and most influential modern
design companies in the world. The company is a result of a deep
legacy of design, innovation, and social good. The MillerKnoll
brand portfolio includes Herman Miller, Knoll, Colebrook Bosson
Saunders, DatesWeiser, DWR, Edelman
Leather, Fully, Geiger, HAY, Holly
Hunt, KnollTextiles, Maars Living Walls, Maharam, Muuto,
naughtone, and Spinneybeck|FilzFelt. Guided by a shared vision,
common values, and a steadfast commitment to design, MillerKnoll
innovates and designs the future while contributing to a more
equitable and sustainable future for all.
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SOURCE Herman Miller, Inc.