SEATTLE — July 2026 —Hightower has officially launched ST8, a seating collection designed by EOOS for Austrian manufacturer Hussl, now available in North America through Hightower Studio. ST8 reflects a bold rethinking of the traditional wooden chair, uniting material ingenuity, refined craftsmanship, and everyday functionality in a form that feels both familiar and entirely new.

Hussl is a second-generation, family-owned furniture manufacturer rooted in Tyrol, Austria, with nearly 50 years of woodworking heritage. Every ST8 chair reflects Hussl’s deep understanding of wood, construction, and craftsmanship. The solid wood frame is assembled using traditional finger-joint and mortise-and-tenon joinery, eliminating the need for visible screws while enhancing structural integrity. Carefully considered grain orientation adds both strength and visual interest, allowing the construction itself to become a design feature. Manufactured in Tyrol with domestically upholstered seat pads, ST8 balances advanced production techniques with skilled hand-finishing to create a chair that feels authentic and enduring.

The design process began with a simple question: what if the traditional wooden chair could be reimagined from its core? Developed during a period of material scarcity in 2020, EOOS and Hussl explored alternative construction methods that ultimately led to an innovative cellulose-core shell. Sandwiched between layers of wood veneer, the cellulose structure reduces weight while maintaining strength, creating a chair that feels familiar in appearance yet remarkably different in performance. “We started at the heart of the chair and redefined the classic frame construction that supports and determines everything,” the EOOS design team noted. “New heart, new chair.”
ST8 balances accessibility with customization. Natural Stained Oak is stocked for delivery in as little as six weeks, offering a streamlined path to specification. For projects seeking a more tailored aesthetic, the collection is also available in a thoughtful selection of oak and ash finishes, from natural wood tones to expressive stains and paints. Available with or without an upholstered seat pad, ST8 adapts to a wide range of design visions while maintaining its distinctive character.