Okamura’s Specere and Sphere Win German Design Award 2025

Okamura is proud to announce that two of our pioneering office seating solutions, Specere and Sphere have been awarded the German Design Award 2025 in the Excellent Product Design – Office Furniture category.

Both products have been recognized for their exceptional design, which integrates ergonomic comfort, functionality, and sustainability, perfectly meeting the evolving needs of modern work environments. The German Design Award jury commended both chairs for their ability to seamlessly blend innovation with thoughtful design, making them standout solutions for today’s flexible and dynamic workspaces.

Specere

Channeling the philosophy of returning to the basics, Specere offers a comfortable and healthy sitting experience without unnecessary complexity. Inspired by the drafting chairs of the 1950s, Specere brings timeless design into the modern office, uniting the charm of the past with the innovation of the future. The chair encourages an active posture and supports the user’s natural movements, promoting a sense of well-being while seated.

Specere features the innovative “Active Move” mechanism, which allows users to start in a slight forward tilt and recline up to 12 degrees, intelligently responding to individual body weight. This balancing mechanism, combined with the flexibility of the nylon backrest, supports healthy, multi-directional movement, ensuring comfort throughout the day. Specere’s design focuses on balance, with beveled edges, clean lines, and subtle transitions between thick and thin profiles, presenting a refined aesthetic without compromising durability.

The jury noted Specere’s seamless integration into modern office spaces, praising its ability to foster healthy, active seating in a stylish, minimalist form. The chair’s versatile design—available in both standard and stool height options—accommodates a wide range of office settings, while its palette of seven colors offers an opportunity for personal expression and cohesive company branding. Specere embodies the perfect blend of timeless design, comfort, and sustainability.

Sphere

As hybrid work and Activity-Based Working (ABW) continue to rise, Sphere is designed to meet the demands of modern work environments, where versatility and comfort are key. Sphere boasts a cutting-edge 3D physical fit shell, achieved through a complex kinematic structure, that adapts to the unique contours of each user’s body, promoting optimal weight distribution and reducing fatigue during long hours of sitting.

The chair’s shell is fully upholstered in selected fabrics that integrate seamlessly with any office interior. With minimal adjustments, Sphere guarantees maximum comfort for its users in a variety of settings—from traditional desks to collaborative touch-down pods, or even home offices. The chair’s adjustable features, including seat depth, reclining tension, and 4D armrests, ensure a tailored fit, while the ankle tilt reclining function supports a natural posture, whether seated upright or reclined.

The jury commended Sphere for its ability to adapt to a wide range of user needs, with its ergonomic design setting new standards for comfort and support in modern office environments. Sphere also reflects our commitment to sustainability, featuring Okamura’s original “Re:net” upholstery made from 100% recycled materials, including recycled fishing nets salvaged from Japan’s oceans. With its eco-friendly design and durable materials, Sphere is an ideal solution for offices that value both functionality and environmental responsibility.

Both Specere and Sphere demonstrate our ongoing dedication to creating office furniture that enhances user well-being while reducing environmental impact. Their recognition by the German Design Award highlights the importance of thoughtful design in shaping the future of workspaces.

About German Design Awards

The German Design Awards set international standards for innovative design developments. It is a trend radar for design, brands and technological breakthroughs. Whether digitalization, AI or circular design – the German Design Awards platform reveals the contribution that design can make to the sustainable transformation of the economy. In this way, the German Design Awards not only make design successes visible, but also highlight the transformative power of design for sustainable, fair progress. At the heart of the holistic evaluation process is the international jury, which is made up of leading experts from all disciplines of design. Their judgment is invaluable – those who convince this jury demonstrate expertise in design innovation and a sharp focus on the demands of customers and the market. For more information visit www.german-design-award.com.

About Okamura Corporation

For over 70 years, Okamura has been Japan’s leading office furniture manufacturer and a benchmark for the industry. Okamura is recognized for its high-quality products that have achieved design and engineering excellence. Okamura products are now distributed to over 50 countries. For more information on Okamura products, please contact your local representative or visit our website at www.okamura.com.

Contact:
Okamura Corporation
222 Merchandise Mart, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
200 Lexington Ave, Suite 1110, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: +1 (312) 645-0115
Email: chicago@us.okamura.com