Kettal U-TYPE Upholstered office chair with 4-spoke base
U-TYPE is an upholstered 4-spoke task chair designed by Barber & Osgerby for Kettal in 2026.
Kettal presents U-Type, a new chair by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby that reconsiders the office chair through clarity, comfort and quiet design.
Over 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.
U-Type follows this direction. Developed according to Barber & Osgerby’s principle of “full performance, quiet design,” the chair combines advanced engineering with a refined, architectural language.
At 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.
“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.”
This 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.
“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.”
The 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.
Ergonomic 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.
With 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.
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