Futurewave developed Shanti, a sensory meditation chair combining sustainable industrial design with an acoustic fabric cocoon.

European design studio Futurewave has introduced Shanti, a versatile sensory seating object rooted in sustainable industrial design for public lounges, hospitality environments, and contemporary workspaces. Conceived in direct response to the cognitive overload of modern shared interiors, Shanti establishes an acoustic and visual sanctuary that facilitates mental decompression and mindfulness.

Ergonomic Posture and Acoustic Cocoon Industrial Design

At the foundation of Shanti is a broad, curved seat pan proportioned specifically for cross-legged meditation postures, such as the lotus or half-lotus position, alongside relaxed upright sitting. Extending from the solid European ash timber frame is an overhead mast supporting a retractable accordion fabric canopy. When lowered, this textile dome envelops the sitter in a private microclimate, dampening ambient noise and filtering visual distractions while maintaining gentle airflow through calculated industrial design proportions.

Sustainable Material Craft and Mechanical Telemetry

Futurewave prioritised circular principles throughout every stage of the industrial design process. The structural frame is milled from FSC-certified European ash wood, paired with solvent-free powder-coated steel brackets finished in sage green (#7A8B7B). The canopy utilizes 100% recycled ecological textiles from Fabraa, engineered to minimize water and energy expenditure during production. Overhead, a tactile knurled brass pull switch activates a warm-spectrum circular LED disc integrated into the wooden canopy cap, providing soothing illumination during quiet reflection.

Modular Flat-Pack Engineering for Public Sanctuaries

Engineered for pragmatic deployment across high-traffic airports, hotel lobbies, and office wellness zones, Shanti disassembles into flat-pack modules to reduce shipping volume and packaging waste. Precision joinery and exposed mechanical hardware enable straightforward on-site assembly and component replacement. The included video documentation captures the smooth kinetic operation of the canopy and integrated luminaire, demonstrating how industrial design elevates furniture into an instrument for psychological restoration.

See more work at Futurewave.

Shanti meditation chair front elevation showing curved wooden frame and folded canopy industrial design
Shanti chair side profile highlighting cantilevered ash wood frame industrial design
Detail of hand adjusting the fabric acoustic cocoon dome on Shanti chair industrial design
User seated cross-legged inside Shanti meditation chair acoustic cocoon industrial design
Mechanical brass knurled switch and warm LED lighting disc on Shanti chair industrial design
Joinery detail of curved solid wood overhead mast on Shanti chair industrial design
Solid ash wood frame base and sage green powder-coated steel hardware industrial design
Backrest leaf-spring steel bracket and folded linen dome canopy industrial design