{"product_id":"u-type-chair","title":"U-Type chair","description":"\u003cp\u003eKettal presents U-Type, a new chair by Edward Barber \u0026amp; Jay Osgerby that reconsiders the office chair through clarity, comfort and quiet design. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver recent decades, the office chair has evolved into a highly engineered object, defined by visible mechanisms, plastic components and a technical aesthetic. As workplaces shift towards more hybrid and informal environments, this paradigm is changing. A new generation of seating seeks to reduce visual complexity and restore the calm presence of furniture— concealing performance within clear structures and more familiar, domestic forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eU-Type follows this direction. Developed according to Barber \u0026amp; Osgerby’s\u003cbr\u003eprinciple of “full performance, quiet design,” the chair combines advanced\u003cbr\u003eengineering with a refined, architectural language. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt its core is a distinctive gesture: a die-cast aluminium frame that wraps around the sitter in a continuous U-shaped line, supporting the backrest and forming the armrests. This fluid structure frames the body while allowing freedom of movement, reflecting more open and dynamic ways of working. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The U-Type Chair is a response to the office chair as a mechanical contraption,” explains Jay Osgerby. “Its form minimises the visual impact of functional elements, reducing plastic in favour of aluminium and soft upholstery.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis clarity is balanced by softness. Slightly oversized seat and back cushions, outlined with generous piping, appear almost casually placed within the frame, evoking the familiarity of a loose cushion. Their gentle compression communicates comfort even before use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“U-Type goes back to archetypal forms and shared memories,” adds Edward Barber. “It combines the comforting expression of craftsmanship with the clarity of industrial engineering.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aluminium components reinforce this duality through crisp geometry and softly rounded edges, while newly developed four- and five-star bases extend the chair’s refined proportions. In its material honesty and formal clarity, U-Type recalls both Viennese bentwood furniture and Mid-Century Modern design. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eErgonomic performance remains largely concealed: a synchronised mechanism adapts to the user’s weight, with controls discreetly integrated beneath the seat. What remains visible is an atmosphere of ease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith U-Type, Kettal continues to bring the sensibilities of outdoor living into the workplace—creating environments that feel more relaxed, generous and welcoming, where performance and informality coexist.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kettal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43967438520454,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0606\/9282\/4198\/files\/kettal_u-type_03.jpg?v=1778190103","url":"https:\/\/www.studioitalia.co.nz\/products\/u-type-chair","provider":"Studio Italia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}