Different Tendencies
Ettore Sottsass
Z9R
Scene design: Duyi Han
Z9R task chair from the Sistema 45 series
Produced by Olivetti, Italy
1973
Injection-molded ABS plastic, yellow lacquered metal structure, height adjustable seat with textile-covered polyurethane seat and back
33.5 x 21.7 x 19.7 inches
85 x 55 x 50 centimeters
Price and detailed condition available upon request
In the early 1970s, Ettore Sottsass produced a series of office furniture for Olivetti called Sistema 45. Included in Different Tendencies is the Z9R task chair in lacquered cast aluminum. Sottsass dutifully considered office workers’ hunching over typewriters and designed the chair with ergonomic features: four castors, a swiveling, height-adjustable seat and back support. The gorgeous warm yellow hue was intended to appeal to more design-savvy professionals.
Images courtesy of Anne Bossennec