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The Bodleian Libraries Chair represents a remarkable achievement in furniture design, combining aesthetic beauty with functional ergonomics in a setting where comfort and practicality are paramount. Designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby in collaboration with UK furniture manufacturer Isokon Plus, this chair stands as only the third chair specifically commissioned for Oxford's prestigious Bodleian Library since 1756. The design emerged as the winner of the highly coveted Bodleian Libraries Chair Competition, establishing itself as a contemporary masterpiece that honors craft heritage while meeting the complex requirements of modern library users.
What makes the Bodleian Chair particularly noteworthy is its thoughtful design approach, which considers not just the comfort of the person sitting in it, but also how the chair appears within the library space. The designers identified the rear view as critical-the aspect most visible when chairs are in use at reading tables. The result is a three-legged oak chair with a distinctive vertical timber element that cleverly echoes the spines of books on shelves, creating a visual harmony with the library environment.
This article explores the Bodleian Chair's design philosophy, ergonomic features, construction details, and its place in the broader context of library and office furniture design. Whether you're a furniture enthusiast, interior designer, or simply someone interested in how thoughtful design can enhance functional spaces, this comprehensive examination offers valuable insights into one of the most significant furniture commissions of recent years.
The journey of the Bodleian Libraries Chair began in 2013 during the renovation of Oxford University's Weston Library by Wilson Eyre Architects. The university, continuing its tradition of commissioning bespoke furniture, launched a competition to design a distinguished chair for three of its reading rooms. The brief specifically called for British designers to collaborate with British manufacturers, creating a chair that would meet the practical needs of library users while honoring the institution's academic and design heritage.
The competition attracted numerous entries, but it was the oak 'Bodleian Chair' designed by London studio Barber & Osgerby (Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby) in partnership with Isokon Plus that emerged victorious. Their winning design showcased a contemporary seating solution that brilliantly combined craft heritage with sculptural form while addressing the complex requirements of library readers.
For Barber and Osgerby, this commission held special significance. Jay Osgerby noted, "As a child growing up around Oxford, I was very much aware of the Bodleian Libraries." The opportunity to design what would be only the third library chair in over 200 years represented both an honor and a challenge to create something with the potential longevity to last centuries.
The design process involved extensive research and consultation with library staff and users. The designers spent time in Oxford talking to librarians and "readers" (as library users are known at Oxford) to understand the specific requirements. This research revealed several key considerations:
Comfort for extended use: Library users often spend up to 12 hours in these chairs
Movement capability: Readers need to rotate approximately 120 degrees to view multiple manuscripts
Sound reduction: Minimal noise when shifting positions to avoid disturbing others
Durability: The chair needed to withstand decades of daily use
The final design was unveiled in 2014, and the chairs were installed in the renovated library spaces, which officially opened in March 2015. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with library staff and readers praising the chairs for their comfort, lightness, and near-silent movement-all critical factors in a library environment.
The Bodleian Chair stands as a testament to ergonomic excellence, specifically designed for the unique demands of extended academic study. Unlike typical office chairs that might be used for 8-hour workdays, the Bodleian Chair needed to provide comfort for up to 12 hours of continuous use-a significant challenge acknowledged by Jay Osgerby, who noted this duration exceeds even most car journeys.
Through extensive trial and error, Barber and Osgerby refined the ergonomics to achieve what they described as "completely perfect" comfort. One of the most innovative features is the slight forward tilt incorporated into the design. This subtle inclination facilitates better blood flow throughout the body, improves posture, and reduces strain on the lower back during long study sessions. This feature was inspired by their research on the Tip Ton chair they had previously designed for Vitra.
The chair's circular construction delivers two critical benefits: remarkable strength and surprising lightness. This combination makes it easy for readers to adjust their position without disruption while ensuring the chair remains stable and supportive. The comfortable armrests that continue from the seat-back enhance the ergonomic aspect, providing support for arms during long reading sessions and accommodating modern study tools like tablets and notebooks.
Ergonomic Feature | Benefit | Implementation |
Forward Tilt | Improves blood flow and posture | Gentle upward curve on sled base |
Circular Construction | Provides strength while maintaining lightness | Three-legged design with sled base |
Continuous Armrests | Supports arms during extended use | Armrests flow from seat-back |
Upholstered Seat | Distributes pressure and enhances comfort | Elasticated webbing with foam layer |
Open Sides | Allows for natural movement | Barrel shape with open design |
The upholstered seat features elasticated webbing for support with an additional foam layer for comfort. This construction distributes pressure evenly across the sitting surface, preventing discomfort during long periods of use. The seat is upholstered in leather from a British tannery, adding both luxury and durability.
The chair's barrel shape with open sides represents a lighter, more contemporary interpretation of traditional library chairs. This design allows for greater freedom of movement while maintaining the necessary support. The cut-away underneath at the front sections of the base enables the gentle forward tilt that improves reading posture.
When compared to other high-end ergonomic chairs, the Bodleian Chair's approach is distinctive in its simplicity. While chairs like the Herman Miller Embody rely on complex mechanisms and adjustments, the Bodleian Chair achieves its ergonomic excellence through thoughtful static design, making it more appropriate for its library setting where noise and visual distraction must be minimized.
The Bodleian Libraries Chair exemplifies the marriage of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design principles. Every material choice and construction detail serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, creating a piece that is as beautiful as it is practical.
The primary material for the chair's frame is solid oak, chosen for both its structural properties and its ability to age beautifully over time, eventually matching many elements of the library's interior. The oak is available in several finishes:
Natural oak
Oiled oak
Black lacquered oak
This material choice connects the chair to traditional furniture craftsmanship while providing the necessary durability for institutional use. Oak's natural warmth also creates a welcoming atmosphere in the library environment.
For the upholstery, the designers selected premium leather from a British tannery. The leather is available in three colors:
Black
Brown
Grey
The leather upholstery adds a touch of sophistication while offering practical benefits including durability, ease of cleaning, and resistance to wear-all essential qualities for furniture in a high-use public setting.
The chair's distinctive structure consists of several key elements:
1. A curved sled-like base that provides stability and enables the slight forward tilt
2. Three legs, including the signature vertical element that resembles book spines
3. Integrated armrests that flow from the seat-back in one continuous form
4. A wider backrest attached to the top of the armrest structure
5. An upholstered seat with elasticated webbing and foam padding
Component | Material | Function | Design Feature |
Frame | Solid oak | Structural support | Three-legged design with vertical spine |
Base | Solid oak | Stability and movement | Sled design with gentle forward tilt |
Seat | Elasticated webbing with foam | Comfort and support | Upholstered in premium leather |
Armrests | Solid oak | User support | Continuous flow from seat-back |
Backrest | Solid oak | Spinal support | Wider at top for upper back support |
The manufacturing process combines traditional woodworking techniques with modern precision. The chairs are produced in Scotland and hand-upholstered in London, maintaining the British craftsmanship requirement of the original brief. The production is considered "small batch," reflecting the specialized nature of the commission and the high level of craftsmanship involved.
The chair's dimensions-654mm length × 526mm width × 822mm height (approximately 25.7" × 20.7" × 32.4")-were carefully calculated to accommodate a range of body types while fitting appropriately within the library setting. The proportions create a presence that is substantial enough to provide comfort without dominating the space visually.
The Bodleian Libraries Chair represents a significant milestone in the evolution of library furniture design. To fully appreciate its importance, we must consider it within the broader context of library chair design history and its influence on contemporary furniture design.
The Bodleian Library at Oxford University has a rich history dating back to 1602, making it one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Throughout its history, the library has commissioned only three chairs specifically designed for its reading rooms:
Chair | Year | Designer | Key Features |
Original Bodleian Chair | 1756 | Unknown | Traditional wooden construction with minimal comfort features |
Second Bodleian Chair | 19th century | Unknown | Improved ergonomics while maintaining traditional aesthetic |
Barber Osgerby Bodleian Chair | 2014 | Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby | Contemporary design with forward tilt and three-legged construction |
This limited number of commissions over nearly 270 years highlights the significance of the Barber Osgerby design. Each chair represents not just a functional piece of furniture but a statement about the library's values and approach to supporting scholarship in its era.
The Bodleian Chair draws inspiration from several sources while maintaining its unique identity:
1. Vitra's Tip Ton chair - The sled base with a gentle upward curve toward the front was influenced by this earlier Barber Osgerby design, bringing proven ergonomic benefits to the library setting.
2. Traditional library environments - The vertical timber element deliberately echoes the spines of books on shelves, creating a visual harmony with the library's primary purpose.
3. Contemporary minimalism - The clean lines and essential form reflect modern design principles, avoiding unnecessary ornamentation while maintaining visual interest.
4. Scandinavian furniture tradition - The emphasis on natural materials, craftsmanship, and functional beauty connects to the Scandinavian design philosophy that has influenced much of contemporary furniture design.
Since its installation in 2015, the Bodleian Chair has received significant recognition within the design community. Its influence extends beyond the specific library setting, with interest from other academic institutions including colleges within Oxford University and universities in North America.
The chair exemplifies how contemporary design can respectfully engage with historical settings without resorting to pastiche or imitation. By understanding the functional needs of modern library users while acknowledging the architectural and cultural context, Barber and Osgerby created a design that feels both timeless and contemporary.
The exclusivity arrangement with the Bodleian Library (for the first year after introduction) demonstrates the chair's status as more than just functional furniture-it's a signature design element of the renovated library spaces. This approach to commissioning bespoke furniture for specific institutional settings represents a valuable counterpoint to the mass-produced office furniture that dominates many contemporary workspaces.
To fully appreciate the Bodleian Chair's unique position in furniture design, it's valuable to compare it with other high-end ergonomic chairs designed for extended sitting periods. This comparison highlights both the specialized nature of the Bodleian Chair and the different approaches to ergonomic excellence.
Chair | Designer | Primary Use | Key Ergonomic Features | Materials | Price Range |
Bodleian Libraries Chair | Barber & Osgerby | Academic research | Forward tilt, circular construction, continuous armrests | Oak, leather | Custom/Premium |
Herman Miller Embody | Bill Stumpf & Jeff Weber | Office work | Pixelated Support™, BackFit™ adjustment, narrow upper back | Recycled materials, textile | $1,500-$2,000 |
Steelcase Gesture | Steelcase Design Studio | Multi-device office work | 3D LiveBack, 360° arm movement, flexible seat edge | Aluminum, steel, textile | $1,000-$1,500 |
Humanscale Freedom | Niels Diffrient | Executive office | Weight-sensitive recline, synchronous armrests, contoured seat | Aluminum, textile/leather | $1,200-$1,800 |
Haworth Fern | ITO Design | Modern office | Digital Knit backrest, Wave Suspension™, 4D adjustable arms | Recyclable materials, textile | $1,000-$1,500 |
The Bodleian Chair stands apart from typical office chairs in several fundamental ways:
1. Adjustment Mechanisms: While most high-end office chairs feature numerous manual adjustments (the Herman Miller Embody has over 20 possible adjustments), the Bodleian Chair relies on a fixed ergonomic design. This approach reduces mechanical complexity, eliminates noise from adjustments, and creates a more timeless aesthetic.
2. Context Sensitivity: The Bodleian Chair was designed specifically for a library environment, where silence is essential and visual harmony with surroundings matters. Office chairs prioritize individual adjustment over environmental integration.
3. Movement Philosophy: Modern office chairs often emphasize dynamic movement and frequent position changes. The Bodleian Chair, while allowing for comfortable rotation, is designed for more sustained focused work with fewer major position changes.
4. Visual Impact: The Bodleian Chair's design considers how it looks from behind-the most visible aspect in a library setting. Most office chairs focus on the user experience with less emphasis on how they appear to others in the space.
5. Longevity Expectations: The Bodleian Chair was designed with a potential lifespan of centuries, following the tradition of its predecessors. Even premium office chairs typically have expected lifespans of 12-15 years.
The Bodleian Libraries Chair was designed in 2014 by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby in collaboration with UK furniture manufacturer Isokon Plus. The chair was the winning entry in the prestigious Bodleian Libraries Chair Competition, which sought a new chair design for Oxford's Bodleian Library. This competition was launched during the renovation of Oxford University's Weston Library by Wilson Eyre Architects. The chair was officially installed when the renovated library spaces opened in March 2015. What makes this commission particularly significant is that it represents only the third chair specifically designed for the Bodleian Library since 1756, highlighting the rarity and importance of such a commission in the library's long history.
The Bodleian Chair incorporates several key ergonomic features specifically designed for extended reading sessions. The most innovative aspect is the slight forward tilt created by the curved sled base, which improves blood circulation and promotes better posture during long periods of study. The chair's circular construction provides exceptional strength while maintaining lightness, making it easy to adjust position without creating disturbance. Continuous armrests flow from the seat-back, offering support for arms during reading and use of devices. The upholstered seat features elasticated webbing with an additional foam layer for pressure distribution and comfort. The chair's barrel shape with open sides allows for natural movement while maintaining support. These features were developed through extensive trial and error to ensure comfort for up to 12 hours of continuous use-a primary requirement from the library users.
The Bodleian Chair is crafted primarily from solid oak, available in three finishes: natural oak, oiled oak, or black lacquered oak. This material was chosen for its structural properties, aesthetic warmth, and ability to age beautifully over time, eventually harmonizing with the library's interior elements. The seat is upholstered in premium leather from a British tannery, available in black, brown, or grey. The upholstery construction includes elasticated webbing for support with an additional foam layer for enhanced comfort. The manufacturing process combines traditional woodworking techniques with modern precision, with the chairs being produced in Scotland and hand-upholstered in London. This commitment to British craftsmanship was a specific requirement of the original design brief, ensuring the chair represents the highest quality of domestic manufacturing.
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