This article originally appeared in CityHome 2014.

By FATEEMA SAYANI

The H-Chair started as a university research project focused on customizing the dining environment without touching the surrounding space. The final version resembles a pop-up singular mini booth with a light strip embedded in the headpiece to provide both enclosure and illumination. “I wanted to re-evaluate what the dining chair is,” says Kyle Megill. “It seems to be at this standstill in that it serves the function enough and it’s factory-produced in a way that’s cost-effective.”

The Project: The idea was to incorporate features that normal dining chairs don’t have, such as lighting. The H stands for headspace, acknowledging the arched headpiece that’s designed to block out surrounding noise. The angle of the light is such that it doesn’t bounce off the plate.

The Look: A 53-inch-high back gives the chair a sleek sensibility, while its armless design imparts airiness, despite the top-heavy canopy. The ergonomic design of the lower back was inspired by Knoll’s Generation task chair and accounts for our various movements while dining: slouching after a meal, say, or sitting up and speaking animatedly. (more…)