The About a Chair family

HAY / Hee Welling

HAY About
a Chair.

Hee Welling’s About a Chair family brings different shells, bases and upholstery constructions together. A change of arms, legs or cushioning can alter how the chair looks and works around a table or desk. Start with the shape and the way you will use it, then look at the exact model.

Explore the family by shape

HAY AAC 23 Soft in Bolgheri upholstery with lacquered oak legs beside a New Order table — AAC 23 Soft, Bolgheri upholstery and lacquered oak legs. New Order table by HAY.

A chair in everyday life

A familiar shape.
A different feel.

Here, AAC 23 Soft pairs moulded plywood legs with a fully upholstered shell and extra cushioning. Timber, texture and the curve of the seat give it a different character from the visible coloured-shell versions.

Begin with the shape, then compare the base and seat construction. Small differences between models can make a meaningful difference around a table or desk.

Compare the chair shapes

The family, made clearer

HAY About a Chair, by shape.

Start with the shape you like, then compare the base. Online versions link to their product pages; other versions open their family facts below.

Without arms.

An open-sided seat for a dining table or desk. Compare wood and steel legs, then swivel and wheeled versions.

With arms.

A shell that curves around you, or a more open seat with separate armrests. Upholstered partners sit beside their coloured-shell relatives.

Low arms.

The About a Chair 200 profile pairs a generous seat with lower arms. Compare the base, then the exact upholstery construction.

Higher back.

The fully upholstered About a Chair 100 models have a higher-backed profile. Wood, steel, swivel and adjustable bases give the same family different uses.

This guide includes models beyond our current online selection. Photographs show example specifications; check the construction, upholstery, base and dimensions on the linked product page, or ask kin. about another version.

02 / The details that change the choice

Find your kind of chair.

Compare the shell, the base and the way you want to sit. Then look at the construction of the seat itself: each changes the chair in a different way.

Explore the current selection

Start with the shell.

AAC 12 has an open-sided, armless shell. AAC 22 brings the shell around you with integrated armrests. Lower-arm models such as AAC 212 offer another profile. Compare the shape and the listed arm dimensions against your table or desk.

Choose how it sits.

Wood, steel and aluminium create different expressions and movements. AAC 12 uses solid wooden legs; AAC 22 uses moulded plywood with a wood surface. Swivel models such as AAC 20 let the seat turn, while selected castor models add movement and height adjustment.

Check the everyday fit.

Compare the footprint, seat height and any armrests with the space where the chair will live. Allow room to sit down and pull away from the table. For a desk chair, check whether the exact model includes swivel, wheels, height adjustment or tilt.

03 / The surface and the feel

Five seat constructions, explained.

The seat construction comes before the fabric colour. Bare shell, front upholstery, full upholstery, Soft and a fixed seat cushion are distinct versions. The choice offered depends on the exact model.

AAC 12 and AAC 22

The shell in view

The coloured shell stays visible across the seat and back. Start here if the sculpted shape and shell colour are central to the look you want.

AAC 12 Front Upholstered

A softer inner surface

Upholstery covers the seat and inner back, while the coloured shell remains visible from behind. The fabric and shell colour both contribute to the chair’s character.

AAC 13

Upholstery all around

Fabric or leather wraps the whole shell over a layer of foam. It is a separately identified model with a continuous upholstered surface.

AAC 23 Soft

More cushioning

Additional foam and wadding give the fully upholstered shell a more cushioned expression. Soft is a distinct construction to choose alongside the exact model and base.

AAC 22 with Seat Cushion

Cushioning at the seat

A factory-fixed upholstered cushion softens the seat while leaving the coloured back and armrests visible. Choose the seat-cushion version from the outset; a loose seat pad is a different item.

Compare all HAY About a Chair model facts

Use the model codes as precise names. The facts below describe the family, including versions beyond the current online selection. A fully upholstered model and its Soft version remain separate choices. Open a model to compare its base, construction and seat height.

AAC 08

Shell and arms: Curved open shell
Base: Sled base Ø12 mm in solid steel
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 08 · Hard shell View AAC 08 · Front upholstery

AAC 09

Shell and arms: Curved open shell
Base: Sled base Ø12 mm in solid steel
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 09 · Full upholstery

AAC 10

Shell and arms: Curved open shell
Base: 4 star swivel base in cast aluminium
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 10 · Hard shell View AAC 10 · Front upholstery

AAC 11

Shell and arms: Open shell
Base: 4 star swivel base in cast aluminium
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 11 · Full upholstery

AAC 12

Shell and arms: Armless shell
Base: 4 leg solid wood base in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 12 · Hard shell View AAC 12 · Front upholstery

AAC 13

Shell and arms: Armless shell
Base: 4 leg solid wood base in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 13 · Full upholstery

AAC 14

Shell and arms: Open shell
Base: 4 star swivel base in cast aluminium with wheels
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 14 · Hard shell View AAC 14 · Front upholstery

AAC 15

Shell and arms: Armless shell
Base: 4 star swivel base in cast aluminium with wheels
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 15 · Full upholstery

AAC 16

Shell and arms: Open shell
Base: 4-legged base in Ø16 mm bent steel tube
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 16 · Hard shell View AAC 16 · Front upholstery

AAC 17

Shell and arms: Open shell
Base: 4-legged base in Ø16 mm bent steel tube
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 17 · Full upholstery

AAC 18

Shell and arms: Open shell with separate armrests
Base: 4-legged base in Ø16 mm bent steel tube with integrated armrests
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 18 · Hard shell View AAC 18 · Front upholstery

AAC 19

Shell and arms: Open shell with separate armrests
Base: 4-legged base in Ø16 mm bent steel tube with integrated armrests
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 19 · Full upholstery

AAC 20

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 4 star swivel base in cast aluminium
Distinct versions: Fixed seat cushion
Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 20 · Hard shell View AAC 20 · Front upholstery View AAC 20 · Fixed seat cushion

AAC 21 & AAC 21 Soft

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 4 star swivel base in cast aluminium
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 21 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 21 · Full upholstery View AAC 21 Soft

AAC 22

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: Moulded plywood base. Inner plywood in beech, top veneer in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Fixed seat cushion
Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 22 · Hard shell View AAC 22 · Front upholstery View AAC 22 · Fixed seat cushion

AAC 23 & AAC 23 Soft

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: Moulded plywood base. Inner plywood in beech, top veneer in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 23 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 23 · Full upholstery View AAC 23 Soft

AAC 24

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 4-star swivel base in cast aluminium with castors
Distinct versions: Fixed seat cushion
Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 24 · Hard shell View AAC 24 · Front upholstery View AAC 24 · Fixed seat cushion

AAC 25 & AAC 25 Soft

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 4-star swivel base in cast aluminium with castors
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 25 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 25 · Full upholstery View AAC 25 Soft

AAC 26

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 4-legged base in Ø18 mm bent steel tube
Distinct versions: Fixed seat cushion
Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 26 · Hard shell View AAC 26 · Front upholstery View AAC 26 · Fixed seat cushion

AAC 27 & AAC 27 Soft

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 4-legged base in Ø18 mm bent steel tube
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 27 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46 cm
Products: View AAC 27 · Full upholstery View AAC 27 Soft

AAC 50

Base: 5 star swivel base in cast aluminium with wheels and gas lift. With soft wheels for all floors
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 42.4–55.4 cm
Products: View AAC 50 · Hard shell View AAC 50 · Front upholstery

AAC 51

Shell and arms: Open shell
Base: 5 star swivel base in cast aluminium with wheels and gas lift. With soft wheels for all floors
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
Seat height: 42.4–55.4 cm
Products: View AAC 51 · Full upholstery

AAC 52

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 5 star swivel base in cast aluminium with wheels and gas lift. With soft wheels for all floors
Distinct versions: Fixed seat cushion
Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 42.4–55.4 cm
Products: View AAC 52 · Hard shell View AAC 52 · Front upholstery View AAC 52 · Fixed seat cushion

AAC 53 & AAC 53 Soft

Shell and arms: Curved shell with integrated armrests
Base: 5 star swivel base in cast aluminium with wheels and gas lift. With soft wheels for all floors
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 53 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 42.4–55.4 cm
Products: View AAC 53 · Full upholstery View AAC 53 Soft

AAC 121 & AAC 121 Soft

Shell and arms: Higher-backed shell
Base: 4-star swivel base in cast aluminium; 4 star swivel base in cast aluminium
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 121 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 47.5 cm
Products: View AAC 121 · Full upholstery View AAC 121 Soft

AAC 123 & AAC 123 Soft

Shell and arms: Higher-backed shell
Base: Moulded plywood
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 123 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 47.5 cm
Products: View AAC 123 · Full upholstery View AAC 123 Soft

AAC 127 & AAC 127 Soft

Shell and arms: Higher-backed shell
Base: 4-legged base in Ø18 mm bent steel tube
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 127 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 47.5 cm
Products: View AAC 127 · Full upholstery View AAC 127 Soft

AAC 153 & AAC 153 Soft

Shell and arms: Higher-backed shell
Base: 5-star swivel base in cast aluminium with soft wheels and gas lift
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 153 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 42–56 cm
Products: View AAC 153 · Full upholstery View AAC 153 Soft

AAC 155 & AAC 155 Soft

Shell and arms: Higher-backed shell
Base: 5-star swivel base in cast aluminium with soft wheels, gas lift and tilt mechanism
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 155 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 44–56 cm
Products: View AAC 155 · Full upholstery View AAC 155 Soft

AAC 212

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-leg solid wood base in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 212 · Hard shell View AAC 212 · Front upholstery

AAC 213 & AAC 213 Soft

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-leg solid wood base in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 213 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 213 · Full upholstery View AAC 213 Soft

AAC 220

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-star swivel base in cast aluminium
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 220 · Hard shell View AAC 220 · Front upholstery

AAC 221 & AAC 221 Soft

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-star swivel base in cast aluminium
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 221 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 221 · Full upholstery View AAC 221 Soft

AAC 222

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: Moulded plywood base. Inner plywood in beech, top veneer in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 222 · Hard shell View AAC 222 · Front upholstery

AAC 223 & AAC 223 Soft

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: Moulded plywood base. Inner plywood in beech, top veneer in oak or walnut
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 223 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 223 · Full upholstery View AAC 223 Soft

AAC 224

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-star swivel base in cast aluminium with castors
Distinct versions: Unupholstered shell
Front upholstery
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 224 · Hard shell View AAC 224 · Front upholstery

AAC 225 & AAC 225 Soft

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-star swivel base in cast aluminium with castors
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 225 Soft — Soft full upholstery
Seat height: AAC 225: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 225 · Full upholstery

AAC 226

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-leg steel base in Ø18 mm bent steel tube
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 226 · Hard shell View AAC 226 · Front upholstery

AAC 227 & AAC 227 Soft

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 4-leg steel base in Ø18 mm bent steel tube
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 227 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 227 · Full upholstery View AAC 227 Soft

AAC 252

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 5-star swivel base in cast aluminium with soft wheels and gas lift
Distinct versions: Front upholstery
Unupholstered shell
Seat height: 46.5 cm
Products: View AAC 252 · Hard shell View AAC 252 · Front upholstery

AAC 253 & AAC 253 Soft

Shell and arms: Lower-arm shell
Base: 5-star swivel base in cast aluminium with soft wheels and gas lift; 5-star swivel base in cast aluminium with soft castors and gas lift
Distinct versions: Full upholstery
AAC 253 Soft — additional foam and wadding
Seat height: 44–56 cm
Products: View AAC 253 · Full upholstery View AAC 253 Soft

A few details make the difference.

Keep the exact model, seat construction and base in mind as you explore. For another version or help with the listed measurements, ask kin.

Read the About a Chair buying guide Ask kin.

04 / From understanding to choosing

Ready to find your version?

The online selection is a starting point. Open a product for its options and current price, or ask kin. about another version from the family.

Explore the full online selection

The current kin. selection

Explore the current selection.

These are the pieces currently listed online. Open a product for its options and current price, or ask kin. about another model from the family.

Explore the online selection

HAY About a Chair.

A familiar shape. A different feel.

HAY About a Chair, by shape.

Without arms.

AAC 12

AAC 12

AAC 13

AAC 16

AAC 16

AAC 17

AAC 08

AAC 08

AAC 09

AAC 10

AAC 10

AAC 11

AAC 14

AAC 14

AAC 15

AAC 50

AAC 50

AAC 51

With arms.

AAC 22

AAC 22

AAC 22

AAC 23

AAC 23 Soft

AAC 26

AAC 26

AAC 26

AAC 27

AAC 27 Soft

AAC 18

AAC 18

AAC 19

AAC 20

AAC 20

AAC 20

AAC 21

AAC 21 Soft

AAC 24

AAC 24

AAC 24

AAC 25

AAC 25 Soft

AAC 52

AAC 52

AAC 52

AAC 53

AAC 53 Soft

Low arms.

AAC 212

AAC 212

AAC 213

AAC 213 Soft

AAC 222

AAC 222

AAC 223

AAC 223 Soft

AAC 226

AAC 226

AAC 227

AAC 227 Soft

AAC 220

AAC 220

AAC 221

AAC 221 Soft

AAC 224

AAC 224

AAC 225

AAC 225 Soft

AAC 252

AAC 252

AAC 253

AAC 253 Soft

Higher back.

AAC 123

AAC 123 Soft

AAC 127

HAY About
a Chair.

A familiar shape.
A different feel.