Okamura's new task seating MUKU, developed in collaboration with Foster + Partners Industrial Design, was unveiled on June 8, 2026, at NeoCon 2026 in Chicago. The product is scheduled to go on sale in November.
MUKU is a task chair that combines a light, elegant appearance with high functionality, built around only the essential elements needed without sacrificing comfort. Its stripped-back design allows it to adapt flexibly to a variety of spaces and user needs. The name "MUKU" is derived from the Japanese word meaning purity and natural beauty — a concept carried through into the design itself.
The lineup covers a wide range of settings, from office environments such as workstations and meeting rooms to home office use, and is designed to blend naturally into any space whether placed alone or alongside multiple units.
MUKU incorporates Okamura's proprietary ankle-tilt reclining mechanism and dual-density cushioning, along with individual adjustments for seat height and depth, 4D adjustable arms, and lumbar support. The complex mechanism that supports the chair's movement has been compactly integrated, achieving both clean visual lines and intuitive operability. The chair is available in four colors.
MUKU is the result of multiple rounds of design and prototyping between the two companies, integrating design and engineering at a high level to meet the quality and design standards expected in global markets.
Foster + Partners Industrial Design, founded by Lord Norman Foster, has placed craftsmanship, art, and a scientific approach to making things at its core for decades. The studio creates products across a wide range of scales — from tables to turbines — through collaboration with manufacturers, craftspeople, and startups. Working under an integrated design system, the studio fuses sustainability as a guiding principle with thorough research and a "design by making" philosophy, refining each project through iterative prototyping and hands-on development.
