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