MultiGeneration by Knoll^® Hybrid Base

Formway Design  2010

“We fidget to focus.” This, according to Formway Senior designer, was the central thesis that informed MultiGeneration by Knoll®. Contrary to popular assumption, foot-tapping, pen-twirling and position-shifting actually help people stay engaged.

Therefore, MultiGeneration is designed to allow for and encourage movement, while still providing adequate support. The shape and material of the shell give the chair a buoyancy that prevents the user from feeling “locked in” while the arm and leg positions allow for 270 degrees of movement.

The optional hybrid base for MultiGeneration is a unique design solution that combines the comfort of a cantilever form with a sturdy four-leg construction, giving the option of mobility from casters and freeing up the front corners for various postures. Cantilevered chairs have dynamic frames that respond to a user’s weight, but typically they cannot accommodate casters, which are desirable in a multipurpose chair, nor do they have front leg structures that can limit the user’s leg movement. Four-leg chairs are sturdy and allow for casters, but they don’t have a dynamic frame. Formway selected the most desirable attributes of the traditional base types to create the MultiGeneration hybrid base, a melding of cantilever and four-leg constructions.

MultiGeneration serves the functional purposes of a side chair, with the consideration and ergonomics of a standalone seating solution.

Founded in 1956, New Zealand-based Formway Design has been designing furniture for more than five decades. In 1979 the company redefined itself, developing a new identity and philosophy that focused on team-based design and extensive research. Formway’s designs are informed by insight gained through the observation and consideration of human behavior. Their user-centered approach marries a rigorous design process, an aesthetic sensitivity, and a passion for the environment.

Knoll and Formway first collaborated on the highly successful Life® chair, introduced in 2002, which is celebrated for its sophisticated design, intuitive adjustments, responsive ergonomics, and sustainable attributes. Building on these features, the two companies came together once again to develop the Generation chair, introduced in 2009. The progressive design features new materials and an elastic design that supports the physical and cognitive activities of the modern office worker.

Formway then developed a family of chairs inspired by Generation. MultiGeneration extends the comfort and freedom of movement to the multipurpose seating category and ReGeneration aims to do "more with less" — pairing down the form of Generation and minimizing materials and components without sacrificing key performance. Knoll and Formway's most recent release, Remix, delivers unexpected performance in a familiar form. It pairs upholstered comfort with an innovative Flex Net Matrix for active, all-day support.