Web Tech

Mesh office chairs first came into popularity in the '90s with the dotcom boom, desk lunches and Herman Miller's invention of the Aeron chair. The bubble burst not long after, but the adjustable, rolling chair remained a cubicle staple. Now Knoll plans to push the Aeron out of its comfy spot at the top of the seating chain with its latest innovation—the Generation. The home- and office-furnishings company spent more than three years collaborating with New Zealand--based Formway Design to produce this new ergonomic chair. With its durable rubber back and unique figure-eight design, the Generation flexes to support the spine while allowing users to move freely to different sitting positions. "Our inspiration was the occupant of the chair and the varied postures adopted during the workday," says Knoll director of design Benjamin Pardo. The Generation, which arrives in stores in July, uses less material than standard office chairs and will be available in seven colors. With options such as lemongrass green and firecracker red, the office just got more fun.