The Office Group launches Co Chair
The Office Group (TOG) has launched its first co-designed piece of furniture – the Co Chair – created in partnership with Menu and Norm Architects.
As a result of fitting out and designing interiors for over 30 buildings since TOG launched 15 years ago, Head of Interior Design Els Van Hoorebeeck identified a void in design-led seating options, flexible enough to fulfil a variety of multifunctional office spaces from conference and boardroom set ups to co-working lounges.
“The Co Chair is significant as it marks our first partnership with Menu and Norm Architects, as well as first foray into furniture design,” says Van Hoorebeeck. “The creation of the chair over the last 10 months has been a truly collaborative process, in our mission to design the perfect stackable, good-looking chair for our office spaces, which we hope our members and clients will enjoy using as we roll out the seating across our buildings in London.”
Conceived in collaboration with Menu and Norm Architects, the series has been designed to suit TOG’s existing and future office spaces, combining a lightweight, sleek aesthetic with comfort and stackable functionality.
Joachim Kornbek Hansen, Brand Director at Menu, adds: “The creation of the Co Chair is the design result of solving a real need that TOG faced with their interiors. At Menu we strive to make design matter by fulfilling a purpose, and the Co Chair does just that. The development has been an ongoing process between the three parties, understanding everything from TOG’s need to the design, through to production optimisation.”
The Co Chair embodies much of Norm Architects’ design principles too, merging minimalist residential and hospitality design language in its rounded aesthetic and warm veneer features. The chair is distinguished by its wide veneer back, the proportions of which allow the user different variations of sitting for maximum comfort, while the position and angle of the backrest have been carefully considered to provide seated support. The chair’s appearance is defined by a powder-coated steel frame, with the option of veneer armrests available for comfort during longer periods of use.
“It has been a wonderful collaboration where we have been able to openly discuss everything from needs to aesthetics and production between all three parties,” concludes Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, co-founder of Norm Architects. “All good design starts with a need and, due to the long experience of TOG working with a wide variety of chairs, they knew exactly what they wanted from the Co Chair to fulfil their everyday needs in terms of functionality and practicality.”
Designed to adapt and suit a wide range of interior styles and buildings, the collection’s veneer features are available in natural oak, dark stained oak and black oak, while upholstery on the lightly-padded seat comes in a range of textiles and colours.
Following a 10-month development period, the Co Chair was previewed during London Design Festival at TOG’s Stanley Building, and will launch officially at Orgatec later this month before being introduced in five of the brand’s buildings in London.
