Knoll

With intuitive adjustments, a slim silhouette, and a broad color and finish palette, the Life work chair sets the standard for innovative ergonomic design. The advanced controls automatically adjust to the weight of your body, providing personalized and effortless dynamic support.

Synchronized Recline

Life features a synchronized recline mechanism with auto-balanced tension. The fluid, natural movement of the mechanism uses your body weight as a counterbalance, supporting reclined, upright, and forward seated positions without the need for manual adjustments.

Dynamic Seat Pan with Forward Flex

The innovative flexing seat pan alleviates pressure points, allows for proper circulation, supports perched postures, and eliminates the need for thick foam upholstery. Seat pan has 4" of depth adjustment.

Knit Back Suspension on Flexible Frame

The Life Back Suspension Fabric (BSF) is an exclusive elastomeric knit that is soft, resilient, and durable. Coupled with the curve and flex of the back frame, it provides integral pelvic, lumbar, and shoulder support.

Life: Video Operating Instructions

Knoll Formway Design Life Product Development Archival Image

Product story

Although Knoll has emphasized and incorporated sustainable manufacturing processes since the 1970s, the 2002 introduction of Life® marked a new level of commitment to environmental responsibility.

Designed in collaboration with Formway, Life® represents a complete rethinking of how to approach sustainability through design. It’s not just about what materials are used, but how much material is used and how readily those materials can be separated and recycled. Almost all of the parts can be removed and updated, which combined with superior ergonomic comfort, make Life® quite possibly the last chair you will ever buy.

Formway

Founded in 1956, New Zealand-based Formway has been designing furniture for more than five decades. In 1979 the company redefined itself, developing a new identity and philosophy that focused on team-based design and extensive research. Formway’s designs are informed by insight gained through the observation and consideration of human behavior. Their user-centered approach marries a rigorous design process, an aesthetic sensitivity, and a passion for the environment.

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Additional Info

Construction and Details

SYNCHRONIZED RECLINE with auto-balanced tension adjusts effortlessly using your body weight as counter balance
KNIT BACK SUSPENSION FABRIC available in 14 colors. Optional backtopper available in leather or fabric
DYNAMIC SEAT PAN WITH FORWARD FLEX alleviates pressure points, allows for proper circulation, supports perched postures and eliminates the need for thick foam upholstery
ADJUSTABLE SEAT DEPTH provides ample 4” range for various body types
FLEXING BACK FRAME follows your movements and ensures constant full back support
TENSION PREFERENCE SELECTOR adjusts the resistance of the reclining mechanism
TILT LOCK gives users the ability to lock the chair upright or allow for recline, depending on the task
FOUR BASE OPTIONS: Painted or polished aluminum, grey or black plastic
FOUR ARM OPTIONS: High performance, height adjustable, fixed height aluminum and fixed height plastic

Sustainable Design

Learn more about Life product certifications and materials at Ecomedes.

Awards

Good Design Award, Chicago Athenaeum, 2003, USA
NeoCon Gold, Best of NeoCon, Task Chair - Seating Design, June 2002, USA
IIDEX/NeoCon, Sustainable Design Gold Award, 2002, Canada

Dimensions

w d h* seat h* arm h*

26.5" 24.5" 39.75" - 45" 16.5" - 21.75" 23.23" - 32.75"

*With standard cylinder. Low (-1") and high (+1.5") cylinder available
Above is with High Performance Arms. Please refer to Price List for information on other arm options