The Herman Miller Sayl chair by Yves Béhar

Herman Miller is one of the most prestigious names in furniture, and are widely viewed as pioneers of modern furniture design. 

Contrary to what you may expect, the company’s namesake was not a furniture designer, nor a manufacturer; Herman Miller was a businessman who helped his son-in-law, D.J. DePree, purchase the Michigan Star Furniture Company in 1923. De Pree had started working at Michigan Star Furniture in 1909 as a clerk, steadily making his way up the ranks to become President in 1919. In 1923 he bought out the company with the help of his father-in-law, Herman Miller, and decided to name the company after him, as an ode to the integrity and honour that Miller exhibited in daily life.

Initially the Herman Miller Furniture Company primarily produced traditional wooden furniture, however the Great Depression and the subsequent flailing market forced them to reassess. So, under the direction of new designer Gilbert Rohde, the 1930’s saw the business pivot towards modernist furniture. Such was their success in this area, that the Herman Miller name became (and remains) synonymous with modern furniture design. 

In the 1940’s the company expanded into the lucrative contract office furniture market, taking further leaps by appointing architect George Nelson to the position of Design Director in 1945. Nelson became a significant and longstanding influence at Herman Miller, introducing the idea of collaboration with other talented designers and procuring names such as Ray and Charles Eames, Alexander Girard, Isamu Noguchi, Robert Propst, Bill Stumpf, Don Chadwick, Ayse Birsel and Doug Ball. These creative unions produced some of the most iconic and innovative designs of our time; pieces like the Equa chair, Aeron chair, Noguchi table, Marshmallow sofa, and the Eames Lounge Chair, which remain influential design pieces to this day.

Herman Miller’s upward trajectory continued, and in 1968 under the guidance of Robert Propst, the "Action Office II" line was developed, which was the first time the world was introduced to the office cubicle. This initiative changed the office environment forever and further enhanced the Herman Miller reputation for innovation.

Their expansion continued over the decades and the business slowly evolved from interior furnishings into solutions for healthcare environments and related technologies and services that today stretch across the globe.

The Herman Miller mantra is “work to design and build a better world around you,” and their furniture reflects innovative yet useful design that helps improve your immediate environment, whilst causing minimal harm to the natural environment. Which brings us to one of the most highly sought after chairs in the office furniture industry - the award-winning Sayl task chair.

Designed by Swiss designer Yves Béhar, the original brief was to create a highly affordable office chair that would incorporate everything Herman Miller is known for: beautiful design, first-class ergonomics, elegant engineering and respect for the environment. The ever-curious Béhar was inspired by San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, and pondered whether the engineering for the suspension style bridge might translate into the engineering of a chair. The result of these musings is the Sayl chair, which boasts one of the most intelligent and unique back support systems seen in an office chair.

Made from elastomer, the strands of the suspension style back vary in thickness and tension, providing support where it is needed most, and less in the areas that require a broader range of movement. The shape of the back is designed to maintain the spine’s natural shape and help the individual maintain a healthy posture when seated. The back is supported by a Y-shaped vertical bar up the middle, with further support added in armrests and ultimate comfort achieved with an upholstered seat pad.

We are fortunate enough to have the Sayl chair now available in a classic grey back and seat, with the Y-Tower and armrests in black, and on 5 wheels for extra mobility.

The fluid form of the chair projects not only the grace and elegance of the bridge it was inspired by, but seen from the side, the chair is reminiscent of a full sail on one of the many boats that pass beneath the Golden Gate Bridge every day – hence the name “Sayl” (the use of “y” instead of “i” is in reference to the Y-Tower frame of the chair back).

Smart, elegant and ergonomic - the Herman Miller Sayl is a truly exceptional addition to any office.