“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.