Building the Perfect Chair: Revealing the Lamia Chair

May 16, 2026

In May 2022, I introduced a new office chair called Lamia, which I believe is a big step forward in office chair design. The Lamia is an exclusive combination of two Steelcase chairs, the Steelcase Leap frame and the Steelcase Amia chair.

This mix combines the great flexibility of the Leap seat with the added comfort of the Amia seat pad.

Quick Summary

The Lamia is a hybrid chair built with BTOD: the Steelcase Leap frame with the Steelcase Amia seat. It combines Leap’s high adjustment (multi-position tilt lock, lumbar support) with Amia’s flatter, more comfortable seat. The two seats are almost identical in thickness and both are firm, but the Amia seat is softer where the Leap seat is more curved.

Key takeaway: Lamia is not a Steelcase product. BTOD created by swapping seats between two seats. The sliding seat mechanisms on both seats are similar enough for the switch to work. BTOD plans to produce a limited number. Subscribe to their email list to receive availability updates.

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1. Amazing Reactions

People’s reaction to Lamia’s chair has been amazing. A highly commented response to the tier list video suggested that if Steelcase fails to produce the Lamia by the end of the year, they may have to ask Elon Musk for help. Even better is the collaboration from within Steelcase itself. Joel Shears and Eric Anderson, both of Steelcase, commented on the video. Eric Anderson, who works with data, saw how much people were interested in Lamia. However, it is important to clarify that Steelcase has not talked about making a Lamia chair at this time.

2. Lamia Construction Process

To start the process, you’ll need to remove the seats from both the Leap and Amia seats. By doing this, you can easily slide the Amia seat onto the Leap frame. The sliding seat mechanisms on both seats are the same, making this process easy. At first, it may look strange with the Amia part under the seat because of how it fits into the Leap’s frame. But with a little push in the front of the seat, you can make the Amia seat fit perfectly in the back. When you are sitting in the chair, the tilt is not noticeable, unless you change the depth of the seat too much.

3. Metal seat pads

I considered both seat pads. Based on research, Steelcase uses fine, durable seat foam with a special frontal shape to help blood flow to your legs and support your body over time. Cornell University conducted a study and said that the seat should be thick in the back, thin in the front, not too soft. Too soft can make you sink into the seat and feel uncomfortable. If you compare the original Amia and Leap seat pads, they have almost the same thickness and shape, both are thin and stiff. However, the Amia seat is soft and the Leap seat is more curved. The curved shape may cause discomfort for some people.

4. Objecting to Competitive Claims

Some have suggested that Lamia exists through a company called Crandall Office. However, the Crandall Office pad differs in shape, density, and thickness from the original Leap or Amia chair pads. Their pad does not have the waterfall front design recommended by experts. So, I think their seat doesn’t match the original Steelcase design.

5. Lamia Chair: Who Needs It?

You may be wondering if you really need a Lamia seat or if a Leap or Amia seat will work. It depends on your size, what you like to adjust in the seat, and how you like the position of the seat. Both the Leap and Amia seats are comfortable for most people. Leap and Amia seats have a return rate of 5 to 6 percent. The Leap seat is great for people of various sizes and has a lot of adjustment. This adjustment includes a backstop for lumbar support that can be customized. On the other hand, the Amia chair is better for smaller people and those up to six feet two inches tall. It features a basic design with a slanted locking feature and a short back.

6. The Best of Both Worlds

The Lamia seat is like getting the best parts of both seats: the flat sitting feeling of the Amia seat and the many adjustments of the Leap seat. This makes the Lamia an excellent choice for those looking for a personal seat. To stay informed about Lamia availability, you can sign up for our email list. While most people will be satisfied with a Leap or Amia seat, we plan to produce a limited number of Lamia seats for purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Steelcase Lamia an official Steelcase product?

A: No. Lamia is a BTOD creation, not Steelcase’s. BTOD built the first Lamia by converting the Amia seat to the Leap frame. Steelcase engineers acknowledged interest in the concept in comments on the first video, but Steelcase has not announced production plans for the Lamia chair as of this writing.

Q: Can I build my own Lamia chair?

A: Yes, in theory. If you own a Steelcase Leap and a Steelcase Amia, the seat rails are compatible enough that you can slide the Amia seat onto the Leap frame. The change is reversible. The biggest challenge is that you need to have both seats to try.

Question: Who is the best Lamia chairman?

A: Users who prefer the Amia’s flat seat but want the Leap’s advanced adjustment package, especially the multi-position tilt lock and live lumbar system. If you’ve tried both seats and like the Leap’s adjustment but find the seat too slouchy, the Lamia speaks directly to that complaint.

Q: Why does the Leap seat feel slouched compared to the Amia?

A: Steelcase designed the Leap chair with additional back support to support body movement during the workday. The Amia seat is soft, with some users preferring a neutral seating position. Cornell University research generally favors a seat that is thicker in the back and thinner in the front, both designs try this but with different amounts of side contouring.

Q: How can I be notified when Lamia becomes available?

A: Sign up for the BTOD email list at btod.com/steelcase-lamia-btod. BTOD has announced plans to produce a limited number of Lamia seats but availability is limited. The email list is the best way to get the first notice when units become available.

Steelcase Lamia Office Chair Video

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The Bottom Line

Ultimately, the Steelcase Lamia is not an original Steelcase product, but an idea that BTOD wanted to try. Thank you for checking out this unique office chair with us. We hope this article has given you a deeper understanding of the chair design and assembly process.