Herman Miller Cosm Chair

History of the Cosm Chair

For Studio 7.5, the Berlin-based design team of Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick, and Burkhard Schmitz, creating their latest chair for Herman Miller feels like reaching a design “holy grail”: a chair that brings effortless, instant comfort. The Cosm’s new Auto-Harmonic Tilt is a feature they’ve been refining for years. Even while designing previous models like the Mirra, Setu, and Mirra 2, the team envisioned an ideal chair that would naturally support the body’s balance.

Auto-Harmonic Tilt

Unlike other self-adjusting chairs that push the body into a set position, the Cosm’s Auto-Harmonic Tilt prioritises personal comfort, adjusting itself to any posture. Studio 7.5 developed a highly sophisticated tilt mechanism that adapts to the user’s shifting weight, moving a pivot point along a leaf spring to deliver the perfect balance of support and freedom.

‘Industrial Craftsmanship’

The Cosm is Studio 7.5’s most advanced chair yet. Hundreds of hand-sculpted and 3D-printed parts were meticulously prototyped to create an unprecedented seating experience. One of the biggest challenges was designing a way for the suspension material to seamlessly integrate with the chair frame. The solution came in the form of small “teeth” that secure the suspension, distributing weight evenly and providing lasting comfort. Studio 7.5 calls this “industrial craftsmanship”—a philosophy that emphasises simplicity and transparency in design.

What are the Cosm’s ‘Leaf Arms’?

The Cosm’s ergonomic design is further enhanced by the unique Leaf Arms—a first in chair design. Initially prototyped as a rough foam shape over wood, the Leaf Arms evolved through various forms, from “motorcycle seat” to “Dumbo ears.” Burkhard explains that the arms were specifically crafted to support the delicate elbow area, giving it a firm yet soft resting point. The Leaf Arms’ angle allows for easy use of devices like phones or tablets, while still being unobtrusive when seated at a desk.

Herman Miller’s Cosm High Back, Mid and Low Back Chairs

The Cosm chair offers three backrest configurations, allowing you to customise it to your exact preferences. You can personalise your Cosm further with the standard or Dipped in Colour ‘Design Your Own’ listings, making it easy to create a chair that fits both your style and comfort needs.

The Cosm Chair heights (tilted to straight) are:

• Low-back: 86.4cm – 101.6cm
• Mid-back: Height: 98cm – 114cm
• High-back: 114cm – 130cm

The Harman Miller Cosm Dipped in Colour Range

Herman Miller’s Dipped in Colour technique applies a single, seamless colour from top to bottom across an entire piece, creating a unified and striking look. This technique was developed in partnership with Studio 7.5 and Herman Miller’s textiles team, blending innovation with design to achieve a bold, cohesive aesthetic.

There are 3 colour schemes available in the Dipped in Colour range:

• Canyon – Suspension Intercept Canyon 84506, Frame Canyon DR1
• Glacier – Suspension Intercept Glacier 84506, Frame Glacier DB3
• Nightfall – Suspension Intercept Nightfall 84504, Frame Nightfall DN2