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    Generation by Knoll®

    Celebrating 10 years of sitting how you want

    In the buzzing workplace of today, Generation’s innovative, elastic design gives you the flexibility and comfort you need to sit and work however you choose. Since its introduction in 2009, Generation has redefined seating by replacing the notions of how people “should” sit with the support users' need to work freely. The first chair to promote unrestrained movement, Generation is a true reflection of innovation and thoughtful design.

    Generation Anniversary

    Innovative Then.
    Essential Now.

    With its singular vision, Generation by Knoll changed everything, offering the kind of freedom that can’t help but move you. Combining holistic ergonomics and unparalleled elastic design, Generation pioneered work chair innovation that remains essential today.

    Learn More →

    Frameless Flex Back

    The Flex Back fuses two innovative elements — the high performance elastomer Flex Back Net and a distinctive figure 8 structure — which together support many different postures and allow for multidimensional movement throughout the workday. The curvature of the figure 8 structure combined with the specific tension, pattern and unique properties of the Net enables side-to-side flex and ensures optimal localized support for shoulders and lumbar region.

    Frameless Flex Seat

    Generation by Knoll moves as you move, encouraging free expression, creativity and engagement at work. The Flex Seat offers 270 degrees of seat edge flex without a hard frame or obtrusive levers along the seat perimeter, as well as 3" of seat depth adjustment.

    Dynamic Suspension™

    Constructed from the same high performance elastomer as the Flex Back Net, the simple, non-mechanical Dynamic Suspension provides a weight-compensated, smooth ride — without the complexity of metal links or springs. The inherent properties of this material — flex and durability — enable an enhanced range of energizing, side-to-side movements

    Continuous Lumbar

    The Continuous Lumbar carries the lumbar support in the Flex Back through the design of the arms. The result: seamless movement from upright to perched or side sitting positions. Optional lumbar is also available.

    Flex Top

    The Flex Top allows the top edge of the back to fold over, providing a comfortable armrest for side sitting or other informal postures, extending your range of movement and offering comfort in any position.

    Generation by Knoll® Options

    Generation Fabric is the base grade fabric for Generation by Knoll.

    View Approved KnollTextiles

     

    • color Storm
    • color Meteor
    • color Pebble
    • color Desert
    • color Lemongrass
    • color Espresso
    • color Firecracker
    • color Bluemarine
    • color Onyx
    • color Olive
    • color Sunset
    • color Grapefuit
    • color Teal Breeze
    • color Lime
    • color Ocean
    • color Dandelion
    • color Storm
    • color Pebble
    • color Desert
    • color Lemongrass
    • color Espresso
    • color Firecracker
    • color Bluemarine
    • color Onyx
    • color Olive
    • color Dark Finish
    • color Light Finish

    Dimensions

    Additional Info

    Sustainable Design
    • Manufactured in East Greenville, PA using clean technologies at the Knoll LEED® Gold and ISO 14001 Certified Lubin Building
    • Constructed using minimal materials
    • Contains recycled content and readily recycled parts
    • Visit Ecomedes to learn more about product certifications and sustainable design at Knoll.
    Awards
    • Best of NeoCon Gold Award for Seating: Desk/Workstation Task Chairs, 2009
    • Interior Design, Best of the Year Award, 2009
    • Chicago Athenaeum, Good Design Award, 2009
    • Product of the Year: Workplace Seating, FX International Interior Design Awards, 2010
    • 2010 Middle East Office Exhibition Gold Award

     

    Configure Generation by Knoll®

    Not all options and finishes are represented below. For the complete scope, please refer to price list or contact a Knoll dealer.


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    By watching hundreds of hours of video and conducting in-depth interviews with workers of all ages, in all disciplines, Knoll and Formway Design recognized that the basic assumption about office seating — that there are only a few optimal ways to sit while at work — was flawed.

    In fact, their investigation showed that sitting upright and facing forward was just one of the ways people use their office chairs. Shifting, stretching, rotating, leaning, and reclining not only relieve boredom but are essential to our ability to stay energized and collaborate with colleagues.

    Understanding that no combination of adjustment levers could make a chair equally comfortable in each of those positions, Formway sought to achieve an elastic design—the idea that a product would rearrange itself in response to a user’s movements. After years of design and development, spent considering and reconsidering every component of the chair, Formway arrived at a truly innovative design.

    With a revolutionary new material for the chair’s back and a form that anticipates and allows for a multitude of body positions, Generation achieves Knoll and Formway’s mission to help workers sit how they want. It is truly the next generation of seating.

    Founded in 1956, New Zealand-based Formway Design has been designing furniture for more than five decades. In 1979 the company redefined itself, developing a new identity and philosophy that focused on team-based design and extensive research. Formway’s designs are informed by insight gained through the observation and consideration of human behavior. Their user-centered approach marries a rigorous design process, an aesthetic sensitivity, and a passion for the environment.

    Knoll and Formway first collaborated on the highly successful Life® chair, introduced in 2002, which is celebrated for its sophisticated design, intuitive adjustments, responsive ergonomics, and sustainable attributes. Building on these features, the two companies came together once again to develop the Generation chair, introduced in 2009. The progressive design features new materials and an elastic design that supports the physical and cognitive activities of the modern office worker.

    Formway then developed a family of chairs inspired by Generation. MultiGeneration extends the comfort and freedom of movement to the multipurpose seating category and ReGeneration aims to do "more with less" — pairing down the form of Generation and minimizing materials and components without sacrificing key performance. Knoll and Formway's most recent release, Remix, delivers unexpected performance in a familiar form. It pairs upholstered comfort with an innovative Flex Net Matrix for active, all-day support.