Nala Patient Chair

Continuum for Herman Miller. 

Patients heal faster when they get out of bed and start moving. The patient chair is a transition between bed and mobility, and Nala helps patients make that transition easier.  

The visual metaphor is a blanket that is both comforting and reassuring. Early sketches were light and flowing to create a sense of being lifted and optimistic- especially in relation to all other products in its category. Manufacturing realities and regulatory constraints readjusted these early visions, but Nala gets high marks in its functionality and comfort.

Nala was designed to be easy to get in and out of and required little effort for the patient to adjust the seatback. We also made it easier for the caregiver. Both arms can raise up and out of the way to make it easier to transfer higher need patients into the chair from the bed.

For the hospital, the surfaces are made from a non-porous and highly cleanable material and can be replaced or updated if needed. The armrests are made from a highly resilient closed cell foam that can stand up to long term wear.

Nala is an extremely comfortable chair, and has been well received in the market.