The Rodeo Chair is essentially a simple, rounded shape made from moulded plywood, built up in multiple layers. It doesn’t behave like a conventional chair. There’s no backrest or fixed base and sitting on it involves a constant, subtle shift in balance. That’s the point, your body can’t settle into a single position, you need to move – making small adjustments that engage core muscles and make you keep a more upright posture. Studies have shown measurable improvements in spinal strength compared to standard seating. So, it’s somewhere between furniture and a medical product.

But it doesn’t look like a clinical product to improve spinal strength. The layered wood is warm and familiar, and the proportions are well judged. A simple rubber ring on the base controls the movement, preventing it from tipping too far while still allowing it to rock gently.

All images: © Rodeo Design