Overview
The O2 chair is the result of a two-year intensive deep dive into ergonomics, mechanical innovation and industrial design. It marks the first collaborative project of an ongoing partnership between Circ and Chinese furniture manufacturer Goodtone.
Inspiration
The project started with the idea to take cues from the bicycle industry to expose the mechanism of the chair as a design feature. This had the benefit of creating a lighter structure with less parts and to highlight the function of the chair.
Using an exposed spring, we started imagining new ways to configure the chairs’ recline mechanism. At this stage, we realized the potential for creating a unique new movement where the armrest structure becomes a part of the mechanism, and the seat, arms and back move at a 1°:2°:3° ratio to each other.
Sitting on a cloud
Once the core ideas for the ergonomics of the chair were verified, we shifted our focus to refining the visual design.
The concept of 'sitting on a cloud' informed many visual design choices in the development, like the flowing shape, lightweight structure, cantilevered seat and sky inspired CMF.
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2D -> 3D
Due to the complex 3-dimensional nature and technical requirements of the design, we used VR very early in the project to quickly iterate and imagine new shapes in 3D. This was a very useful process for achieving the flowing curves and checking the proportions of the chair at a 1:1 scale.
We went through many iterations of CAD & prototypes with the goal of creating a cloud like feeling of weightlessness and visual lightness in the chair's form, material and comfort.
Movement
Every element of the design plays a factor in the unique recline movement. A ratio of 1°:2°:3° between the seat, armrests and back means that the entire body, including your arms, move together naturally during the recline. This is especially comfortable when a user leans back at a desk to use their mobile device.
Product Launch
The O2 chair launched at CIFF Guangzhou in March 2025, and has since become a top seller in Goodtone's D2C business in China. It is also available through 3rd party dealers worldwide.
To compliment the many personalities of homes and workplaces, we designed the O2 in 5 colourways, and also created optional add-ons like a headrest, cushion seat and lumbar pad.
