NII unveiled a suite of new office furniture at Salone del Mobile, showcasing the Japanese brand’s “ingenious design” ethos aimed at modern workplaces that are constantly evolving.
Design philosophy anchored in flexibility and interaction
Creative director Hirotaka Tako explained that shifting work styles, digitalisation, and a heightened focus on human capital are reshaping how companies view the office. “The office should be more than just an alternative to home or cafés,” he said, adding that it must attract and inspire people much like entertainment venues do.
The brand describes its approach as “ingenious design,” a term it uses to convey spaces that spark creativity and facilitate collaboration. According to Tako, this philosophy guides the creation of environments filled with energy, subtly steering how occupants move and connect. The result is a set of multifunctional structures that introduce “creative shifts” in the relationship between people and space.
Key pieces highlighted at the Milan show
The HAKUSAN stacking chair, developed with UK studio Industrial Facility, aims to balance comfort, stackability, and cost. Its forward‑moving silhouette integrates frame and armrests, creating a visual icon that also reduces weight when the chair is carried. The model offers a range of colour, material and finish options, from natural wood with metal accents to tone‑on‑tone treatments.
Another launch, the BIWA lounge task chair by ITOKI’s Kohei Wada, blends a lounge‑style form with a functional ankle‑tilt mechanism. Its floating‑look shoulder rest, linked by a transparent neck, supports relaxed postures. Buyers can choose low or high versions, glides or casters, and finishes that include single‑tone hues, polished bases or leather upholstery.
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ALLROUND, an in‑house stool, features built‑in casters that allow it to glide smoothly, likened to a hovercraft. Constructed entirely from metal, the stool’s rounded edges aim to provide a comfortable user experience while remaining durable. Its components – seat, neck and base – can be disassembled for flat‑pack shipping.
The BITMAP, PIGNA, and PARLAMENTO collections were presented, each developed in partnership with designers such as Todd Bracher, Michele De Lucchi, and Jun Aizaki. Tako emphasized that collaborations across architecture, product design and visual communication help translate NII’s values across cultures.
The brand’s emphasis on surprise and “almost impossible” outcomes stems from a desire to move beyond the standardised, efficiency‑driven office furniture market. “NII redefines furniture as something that activates space itself,” he said, describing pieces that function as stages for creativity and relationship‑building.
From a practical standpoint, these innovations could mean that employees spend less time adjusting their environment and more time engaging with colleagues. The modular nature of the pieces may allow companies to reconfigure work zones quickly, adapting to project needs without extensive renovations.
Such flexibility also supports hybrid work models, where teams alternate between remote and on‑site schedules. By swapping components or rearranging modules, firms can tailor spaces to daily occupancy levels.
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While the collections aim to inspire, the underlying goal remains functional. The designs incorporate detailed engineering to ensure stability and durability, even as they pursue sculptural aesthetics. This balance of form and function reflects the brand’s commitment to delivering products that are both visually striking and reliably usable.
Collaboration drives the collection’s character
Tako noted that NII works with a diverse set of designers who share its philosophy. “Through ongoing dialogue, these collaborations lead to collections that express NII’s values across cultures and creative fields,” he explained. The first Salone presentation brought together contributors from different languages and backgrounds, a process that presented “complexities” but ultimately produced pieces that maintain a high level of quality.
The brand’s approach suggests a willingness to experiment with materials and mechanisms, as seen in the ALLROUND stool’s detachable components and the HAKUSAN chair’s minimalist construction. By offering multiple CMF (colour, material, finish) options, NII enables clients to tailor the aesthetic to specific brand identities or interior themes.
Overall, NII’s new lineup at Salone del Mobile reinforces its claim to merge functionality with a sense of wonder, positioning the company as a player that seeks to transform ordinary office settings into dynamic, interaction‑focused spaces.
Design meets function.
