The Legacy Behind The World’s Most Comfortable Ergonomic Office Chair

Explore the rich history of LIFEFORM® Chairs and discover how decades of innovation have shaped their ergonomic and stylish seating solutions.

LIFEFORM Chairs is proudly Canadian, and has been Canada’s ergonomic office chair provider for five decades. What many might not know is that the roots of the LIFEFORM story were established in Denmark, 1884.

As proud as we are of our innovative Canadian enterprise, we are equally proud of the original trade and craftsmanship that inspires our designs, processes, and values to this day.

From Saddle to Seat: A Legacy of Precision

If the LIFEFORM legacy were a tree, the seed was planted by Jacob Mortensen in Durup, Denmark, five generations ago. Jacob and his family designed and manufactured handmade saddles, a craft that depends on precision to ensure synergy between rider and horse. The focus on body alignment, relieving pressure points, and starting with quality materials is a tradition we honor on to this day.

It’s no wonder that the family decided to settle in the cowboy capital of Canada 70 years later.

As the market shifted and the world began to industrialize in the 20th century, Jacob’s sons expanded the operation into the Durup Upholstered Furniture Factory. The family venture continued to bloom by maintaining the values established by their father, providing quality products through a trusted and friendly service. The craft passed down through generations was then brought to Calgary, Alberta, Canada by Kai Mortensen, who immigrated from Denmark in 1957.

Humble Beginnings

A vintage black and white photograph of a craftsman in a workshop, meticulously hand-tying the serpentine springs of a chair frame. He is focused on his task, surrounded by the tools of the upholstery trade, highlighting the hands-on skill involved in early furniture making.

LIFEFORM Chairs was officially founded in 1976 by two craftsmen: John Kristensen and his nephew Johnny Mortensen. As custom residential furniture builders, they carried forward the practice, a seed that had now grown into a seedling, in the art of furniture making. Their initial focus was making residential sofas and chairs, but in the late 1970’s they received a request to make a leather high-back executive chair for an important corporate executive in downtown Calgary. This chair marked the beginning of their journey making office chairs combining elegance with functionality.

Innovating for Comfort

The 1980s brought the dawn of the computer age, and with it, the demand for specialized computer chairs skyrocketed. At the time, most chairs on the market prioritized aesthetics over comfort and ergonomics. These “computer chairs” were visually appealing but had limited support and adjustments.

In the late 1980s and early 90s, people started to pay attention to the chairs they were tied to all day long. The founders of LIFEFORM then set out to design an office chair that provided complete support and comfort and introduced their first ergonomic office chair. This groundbreaking design featured a unique contour that adapted to the user’s body, providing all the necessary support for a comfortable, pain-free workday. Adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and a tilt mechanism allowed users to customize their sitting experience, making it one of the most advanced chairs of its time.

Expansion and Refinement

Throughout the 1990s, LIFEFORM Chairs continued to refine its ergonomic designs and other offerings such as task chairs and visitor chairs. The company also introduced a new line of high-back office chairs that elevated comfort and support. By the end of the 90s, the market began to see an influx of mass-produced products from overseas, so LIFEFORM decided to hone its focus in an area where cheaper chairs couldn’t compete, office chairs customized for each user’s needs.

Two luxurious brown leather executive chairs, one high-back and one mid-back, are showcased in a classic, elegant office setting. The room features a traditional wooden desk, a large bookshelf filled with books, and a patterned rug, with warm sunlight streaming through the window shutters.

In the 2000s, the LIFEFORM family tree solidified its position as a leader in ergonomic office chair manufacturing. The company continued innovating with new technologies such as temperature regulating ThermaGuard™, which can be applied to seats, backrests, and arm pads. The introduction of the first mesh-back chair offered a sleek modern look and added breathability, while the rest of the chair maintained its optimized comfort and support. They also added adjustable seat depth to some of their chairs, designed to promote proper alignment and reduce the risk of back pain and other health issues associated with prolonged sitting.

Why Tradition Matters…Again

We are in the midst of a generational reset, fast design is wearing thin and we as consumers are starting to search for meaning in the materials that surround us. We’re revisiting the idea of legacy, not just in wealth, but in the objects, stories, and traditions we pass down. Increasingly, we are curating environments with care, investing in quality and longevity over trend and turnover.

What makes a LIFEFORM chair unique is the values and traditions we carry from our predecessors. We can work with you to make a chair designed specifically for your body, using quality materials and innovative technologies to make an item that will be comfortable for years to come. Individualized, quality, handmade designs are again being favored over uniform, mass-produced, factory-made products.

A close-up shot of a craftsman in his workshop, with his hands resting on a piece of tan leather furniture. A quote is overlaid on the image, reading:

An Office Chair for Life

We like to think of LIFEFORM Chairs as an atelier (studio/workshop) rather than a furniture manufacturer. We believe seating can be sculpted with the same attention to detail as a tailored suit or a handmade leather saddle. The result is an office chair that is architectural and personal, built not to impress but to serve an individual and reflect their taste.

Rather than cutting down the tree of tradition, we learn from our heritage and honor proven practices to build a healthier, more sustainable future. From our roots crafting handmade saddles, to becoming a furniture manufacturer, and ultimately a leader in ergonomic office chairs, we have always prioritized well-being and comfort.