Back in 2003, when and Studio 7.5 brought out the Mirra Chair, its groundbreaking design irreversibly challenged the status quo. From a performance point of view, Mirra’s ergonomic silhouette was heralding a new era of office chairs that would respond to the movements of the human body. Equipped with AireWeave and FlexFront for exceptional breathability and dynamic support, as well as Loop Spine, which allowed for natural movement and torsional flex, Mirra reinvigorated the static landscape of the global workplace. Soon enough, the chair’s iconic Butterfly Back – Studio 7.5’s signature blend of ergonomics and visual finesse boasting a web of polymer veins that masterfully weave precise back support and captivating aesthetic – became a staple in offices worldwide.
But Mirra’s trailblazing character wasn’t limited to its high-performing design – Herman Miller’s seating staple introduced the idea that good design can be responsible, too.
When Mirra first launched, sustainability was gaining traction, but in furniture design, it was still primarily seen as a niche concern or an afterthought. Eco-friendly often meant compromising aesthetics or performance; recycled content wasn’t necessarily considered an optimum material for high-quality furniture, and certifications like Cradle to Cradle were only beginning to emerge. So, when Mirra came out, the chair’s innovative materiality and focus on minimising environmental impact were truly ahead of their time.
Herman Miller wasn’t just adding another high-performance chair to its outstanding range – it was carving out a new category of workplace seating that would prioritise ergonomics, performance and environmental concerns in equal measure. In fact, Mirra became Herman Miller’s first office chair designed to meet the brand’s Design for the Environment protocols, developed in collaboration with international environmental experts at MBDC, the creators of the Cradle-to-Cradle Certified® Products Programme.
And just like Herman Miller has remained at the forefront of responsible design, the Mirra has never ceased to adapt, becoming more sustainable with every iteration. The 2013 re-release accentuated Herman Miller and Studio 7.5’s commitments to dematerialisation and ensuring that “every molecule counts,” resulting in , which was 30% lighter than the original. And now, following the most recent 2024 update, the – alongside the Mirra 2 Stool – brings about a re-engineered nylon base and spine, which are crafted from 100% recycled content, significantly reducing the chair’s carbon footprint.
“Sustainable design has guided the Herman Miller brand for decades,” says Gabe Wing, Vice President of Sustainability at MillerKnoll. “In partnership with Studio 7.5, our research shows a greater need for chairs like – minimal adjustments to provide instant comfort make it optimal for shared spaces. The opportunity to increase recycled content and performance while making an important carbon footprint reduction sets a new standard for the future of ergonomics and beyond.”
But story is about more than just materials – it’s a striking embodiment of the power of adaptive design that constantly refines and improves upon itself while staying true to its very core. Over two decades on, the Butterfly Back is just as iconic and very same PostureFit support continues to encourage an upright posture and promote long-term wellbeing in offices around the world.
“For us, improving a design concept continuously is one of the best strategies for creating longevity,” Carola Zwick of Studio 7.5 explains. “In this case it was finding alternative materials with a lower carbon footprint. Taking the effort of improving an existing product concept instead of creating a new product is signalling that the original concept is still valid and reassuring existing Mirra users that they have a great chair. We think slowing down and resisting the ‘new’ new is an important aspect of sustainability we as designers can tackle.”
But this latest iteration doesn’t just highlight the timeless character of good design – Herman Miller’s commitment to circularity aligns with the growing demand for transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability and legislative context. While environmental regulations might have been in their infancy when Mirra first launched, the optimised design is emerging as a timely response to a very different environmental landscape. As Australia ushers in mandatory climate-related financial disclosures for large organisations, the and Stool stand out as crucial tools for architects, designers and specifiers working with these organisations, helping them to contribute to a lower carbon footprint, both in new builds and refurbishments.
With this latest evolution, Chair and Stool not only reinforce Herman Miller’s industry-defining commitment to enduring, high-performing and future-forward design. These dynamic seats maintain their unwavering relevance by resisting the urge to pursue the new, proving that adaptability isn’t just about keeping up with the times but about actively shaping them – and that, sometimes, we can find movement in stillness.
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