The Design Process

The design process began with an identifiable customer need. A number of clients had requested a high-backed version of Boss Design’s popular Paloma armchair for the boardroom. In response, Uma was designed from scratch to address these requests – in a form coherent with Paloma and other lounge seating in the range such as Amelia and Remi.

Sharing the same design DNA, Uma gives specifiers the opportunity to continue this organic, sculpted, curvaceous aesthetic into the workspace. While it was initially conceived as a product for leadership spaces such as executive offices and boardrooms, the gentle nature of Uma’s form means that it can easily transfer into other meeting rooms and collaborative spaces such as breakout and touchdown areas. A high level of comfort means it is just as feasible to use Uma as a task chair in an open plan scenario, where it may harmonize with other Boss lines mentioned above.

While many other boardroom chairs have a firm sit, Uma pours on the softness. A lithe back and arms give the product an air of grace and elegance, yet sitting experience begins with a wide, soft seat. The cushioning is softer in the middle and firmer towards the edges so that Uma retains the defined lines that give it its character.

The super-soft approach is made possible by the innovative techniques and materials in its cushioning (outlined above). When one sits in Uma, the back’s beautiful shape flows with the spine and, where the lower back touches the chair, there is an inset panel of softer foam to maximize comfort.

This elevated level of comfort helps the sitter focus on matters at hand for as long as they need to – from complex group decision-making to individual focus work. As such it will aid the productivity of our clients’ organizations.

High-quality materials, manufacturing processes and exquisite finishing result in a chair with a long lifecycle ahead of it. Uma will outlast its five-year warranty and has been designed for easy disassembly facilitating refurbishment and second- and third-life potential. With an aesthetic designed for timeless appeal, Uma has a look that will remain relevant for decades to come.

Sustainability

The Bio-PUR® foam that gives Uma its super-soft seat has a carbon footprint 75% lower than conventional PU foam. The innovative felt-foam process we’ve applied that gives the seat a soft center while the edges remain firm making for a durable chair that can be re-upholstered for second life use. 

Uma’s environmental sustainability has been independently assessed by Design Conformity and has been awarded a Circular Design Certificate. Uma’s Carbon Efficiency Rating for its expected first life (10 years) is C3 (19); its Carbon Efficiency Rating for its expected second life (10 years) is C2 (10). The chair has a carbon footprint of 87.32kg / 192.5lbs CO2e. Its material content is 24% recycled, 46% deconstructable, 46% reusable and 100% recyclable.

Environmental sustainability was the leading consideration throughout Uma’s design process. The decision to manufacture the back and sides as a single component is an example of this, eschewing the need to design, prototype and manufacture separate arms which would have required additional materials and tooling, entailing a greater carbon impact.

Its cushioning is made from Bio-PUR® polyurethane foam, which is formulated using renewable biomass rather than standard fossil-fuel derived substances. As a result, Bio-PUR® has a carbon footprint 75% lower than conventional petrochemical-based alternatives.

Durability is another key factor in the sustainability of Uma. Aesthetically, it has been designed for enduring appeal, while its build quality ensures physical longevity. The chair has been designed for easy disassembly. Taking it apart for reupholstering is a simple process. When its fabric becomes worn, or when a scheme is updated, Uma can be covered in fresh, new textiles with different colors and patterns.

When the product eventually reaches the end of its lifecycle as a chair, easy disassembly makes it possible to separate, reuse and/or recycle its foam, steel, plywood and aluminum components. The plywood used is FSC Chain of Custody compliant, made from fully traceable timber resources.

Uma has a Circular Design Certificate from Design Conformity (see above) and adheres to the Boss Design Sustainability Manifesto. We are a Planet Mark-certified company, committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 5% per annum and reaching net-zero by 2050. Since 2010, Boss has measured and reduced all waste streams. All the electricity used comes from renewable sources including wind, solar and hydro generators, bringing carbon emissions down more than 50% for each piece of furniture manufactured.

Awards

Interior Design - HiP Honoree Award 2025

Pricing

USD 2400 list

Notes

“When you sit into Uma, the back has a beautiful shape that flows with the spine, and where your lower back touches the chair we’ve inset a panel of softer foam to augment the comfort while providing ergonomic support,” says Aaron Clarkson- Designer