bad posture becomes design logic in mara bragagnolo’s birch plywood chair collection

mara bragagnolo designs chairs for ‘incorrect’ postures

Bad Posture Chairs is a collection of chairs designed by Mara Bragagnolo to accommodate postures considered ‘incorrect’ and non-conforming. The project comes from the observation that design has historically normalized a single way of sitting, turning any deviation into an error. Many people, particularly neurodivergent individuals, adopt spontaneous postures that traditional seating does not support, often resulting in restriction and discomfort.

Each element of the collection originates from research into alternative postures and proposes a structure capable of accommodating them rather than correcting them. Instead of imposing an ideal posture, these chairs adapt to real and recurring gestures: sitting cross-legged, curling up, leaning to one side, folding one leg in front of the body, or constantly shifting position, which become actions anticipated by the design, not deviations to be tolerated.

’Bruno Munari Seeking comfort in an uncomfortable chair’-inspired chairs | all images by Federica Borgato

Bad Posture Chairs rethink comfort through playful design

The collection, conceived by designer Mara Bragagnolo, questions the relationship between body and object, reversing the logic according to which the user is expected to conform to the design. Here, it is the furniture that adapts to the person. Inspired by the photographs of Bruno Munari dedicated to the exploration of comfort in an uncomfortable armchair, the series combines critical reflection and a playful dimension, inviting a reconsideration of the concept of comfort and encouraging diversity as a starting point in the design process. The chairs, made from stained birch plywood, were built in collaboration with Valter Cagna and Tommaso Braceschi.

chairs designed to support non-conforming postures

informal sitting habits inform the geometry of each piece

leaning, folding, and repositioning are built into the design

curled and asymmetrical positions are anticipated by the form

stained birch plywood defines the material language of the series

playful forms emerge from critical design research

layered wooden elements create varied seating conditions

each chair proposes a different way of inhabiting space

variation and diversity replace uniform seating rules

seating that accommodates movement rather than restricting it

comfort is redefined through movement, flexibility, and use

project info:

name: Bad Posture Chairs
designer: Mara Bragagnolo | @maragold

collaborators: Valter Cagna | @valter_cagna, Tommaso Braceschi | @tom_braceschi

photographer: Federica Borgato | @fede.borgato

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post bad posture becomes design logic in mara bragagnolo’s birch plywood chair collection appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.