Chair Micky, designed by Christian Steiner, was produced for the Handwerk+Form 2026 design competition and received an award from the expert jury. The Austrian designer and schmidinger möbelbau share a long history of collaboration, with Steiner having designed collection classics such as Chair Excel and Chair Lapiz.

Made of plywood, the chair is reinforced with corner braces at points subject to particular stress, without increasing the overall dimensions of its components. The forward-opening legs allow it to be easily placed on a desk for cleaning. Its shape encourages an upright sitting position.

Comment from the Handwerk+Form Jury:

“Imagine a large industrial warehouse filled with around 90 objects – a setting that is not the natural environment for any of them. Yet this very neutrality provided an ideal opportunity to explore how well an object can stand on its own. Chair Micky was the most impressive in communicating its function without any explanation: a chair for a school. With its positive, slightly quirky yet confident and curious character, it is a fitting companion for everyday school life.

A closer look confirms that it meets these requirements. Its open seat shell and flexible backrest allow children to move between different sitting positions. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to move around the classroom, while the forward-opening legs allow it to be placed on a desk with ease. Made entirely of wood – an exception among school chairs – it offers children a warm, natural feel. The moulded plywood components also make it suitable for serial production.

We are delighted to recognise this thoughtfully and consistently developed design with a Handwerk+Form 2026 award. Congratulations!”