With a focus on art, comfort, and craftsmanship, Francesco Favaretto designs the Nerita chair for Versteel
March 24, 2025–A stunning blend of precision artistry and sustainable innovation, Nerita from Versteel, is a high-end, durable, and affordable poly chair for conference areas as well as a wide variety of other spaces. Created in collaboration with Italian designer Francesco Favaretto of Favaretto + Partners Design Studio, this seating solution represents a bold new benchmark in ergonomic elegance and functional design.
This partnership builds on collaboration between Versteel and Favaretto, who previously worked together to introduce the Aerie, a large-scale table that seemingly defies gravity to provide strength, stability, and reliability.
The Nerita chair draws its name and inspiration from a type of seashell, renowned for its organic curves and impeccable strength. Favaretto leveraged these natural forms to craft a chair that combines visual intrigue with functional elegance. The design features an ergonomic shell that cradles the user, while the incorporation of the Golden Ratio—a principle of natural balance and proportion—creates a harmonious aesthetic. Anticipating trends to capitalize on opportunities, Favaretto + Partners draws on curiosity, tenacity and passion to seek innovative solutions across various areas of design. Originally founded as Studio Favaretto by renowned architect Paolo Favaretto, the studio rebranded to Favaretto + Partners when Paolo’s son, Francesco Favaretto (right) came aboard.
“The idea behind Nerita was to design a collection of poly chairs that were both comfortable and enveloping. Inspired by the concept of the Golden Ratio, which is also represented in the spiraling of a nerita shell, we introduced two openings in the backrest. When viewed from behind, as often happens when chairs are placed around a table, these openings create a sense of airiness and add an elegant, sensual touch to the collection,” said Favaretto.
At the core of Nerita’s design and production is a focus on sustainability. The chair’s poly shell is made from recycled materials and is produced through an energy-efficient injection molding process, greatly minimizing waste and carbon emissions. Known for its precision metalworking, Versteel manufactures Nerita’s steel frames at its Indiana-based facilities using domestically sourced steel with up to 95% recycled content. Additionally, both the poly shells and steel bases of Nerita are up to 100% recyclable after a long life of high-traffic use, underscoring Versteel’s commitment to creating environmentally responsible products.
Designed for versatility, Nerita offers a variety of customization options. Its single-piece shell is available in arm or armless and five neutral colors: Near Black, Quarry, Oyster, Snow, and a new color for Versteel: Sand. An upholstered seat pad can be added for additional comfort and style. Four distinct base styles meet diverse functional and aesthetic needs: fixed swivel with 3” hollow casters, fixed swivel with dual-purpose glides, steel 4-leg base, and steel sled base.
Versteel, a leader in the creation of high-quality contract tables, chairs, and collaborative furniture, manufactures at its Indiana-based facilities, ensuring a high level of quality and attention to detail. There are dozens of powder coat colors for Nerita bases, ranging from neutrals to bold accents. The swivel bases are also available in polished aluminum, and the steel 4-leg and sled bases can be plated in chrome or nickel.
Nerita, available for specification through the Versteel extension for CET, pairs with Versteel’s extensive line of tables, including Aerie, offering cohesive solutions for high-end conference rooms, casual meeting spaces, dining areas, and creative learning environments.