« BACK to Omage overview
Omage designed by Bill Raftery
Q: How does Omage address the requirements of today’s contract market?
A: Comfort and support: these are the two criteria that push any designer to solve problems that are associated with long hours of sitting in an office. Omage addresses these issues by using shapes, sizes and materials in simple, yet innovative ways. For instance, we used the mesh materials in the backs for ventilation and shaping. The memory foam in the seat accommodates diverse weight distribution and can be sized to create chair size choices. Combined with a variety of arm, control and headrest options, Omage can be used almost anywhere in today’s offices.
Q: What was your key focus in designing Omage?
A: The key focus in designing the Paoli Omage chair was to incorporate the benefits of the new mesh fabric (i.e., ventilation, flexibility and adaptability to any back shape), while maintaining the appearance of a well-designed, transitionally-styled office chair. Our goal was to design an ergonomic chair that looks like an elegant piece of office furniture rather than a piece of office equipment.
Q: What are the advantages of working with mesh and upholstery?
A: For this particular seating group, the mesh is designed to complement the upholstery. The distinctive character of this chair is a result of combining the textures and contours of both mediums. You get the rich, contoured upholstery of an executive chair and the performance, comfort and airflow of a more contemporary mesh chair.
Q: What was your inspiration for the aesthetics of Omage?
A: This was not so much an aesthetic choice as it was an evolution. The form and look of Omage evolved as the result of combining two distinct materials for optimal form and function. That process inspired the overall visual execution and the special design details.