Severance, the magnetic series directed by Ben Stiller, takes the cognitive disconnection between the work self and the personal self to a paroxysmal extreme, using interior design as a defining element to shape and authenticate its story and identity.
Much has been said about the Bell Labs Holmdel complex, designed by Eero Saarinen and inaugurated in New Jersey in 1962, which was chosen as the exterior set for Lumon Industries, the enigmatic company at the heart of Severance. While this iconic building features prominently in the series, its interiors were recreated in a studio. The mid-century aesthetic of the workspaces is not directly influenced by Saarinen’s mastery—known, for example, for the Tulip Chair—but rather crafted by set designers Andrew Baseman and David Schlesinger for the first and second seasons, respectively, through their meticulous selection of furnishings.
Inside this sealed, minimalist environment, abstract yet not entirely devoid of sensory cues, the protagonists of Severance navigate their claustrophobic nine-to-five existence. Among its most visually recognizable and iconic features are the narrow corridors connecting Lumon’s rooms. These prefab-panelled hallways, rhythmically illuminated by artificial lighting, lack windows or decoration, stripping the workplace of personality and transforming it into an endlessly replicable labyrinth—a hypnotic motif fans of the series have come to revere.
Meeting rooms maintain this austere aesthetic but utilize wall coverings as a double-edged sword. On one hand, paneling and carpeting underscore the series’ mid-century references—an era synonymous with the rise of mass office culture and hierarchical lifestyles. This aesthetic is reinforced by the constant use of green tones, which, paired with metallic office furniture, symbolize work life, albeit stripped of the cheerful artifacts that once made postwar modernism seem joyous. On the other hand, despite the minimalist tone, plywood finishes and optical patterns stand out as tactile surfaces, offering a rare sense of warmth within the series’ otherwise cold, destabilizing palette.
Furniture selections expand beyond strict mid-century confines, incorporating a broader timeline to emphasize the series' retro-futuristic themes, notably through vintage computers and iconic design pieces. Reddit enthusiasts have eagerly identified furnishings such as Dieter Rams classics, including the 620 Chair Program—its fiberglass shell curving into delicate armrests—and the 1965 Wandanlage hi-fi system, a paragon of functional design. Other notable inclusions are Joe Colombo's Universale Chair for Kartell, a plastic icon of the late 1960s, and Charles and Ray Eames' Executive Chair, a timeless office classic. The Nimrod Chair by Marc Newson, introduced in 2002, adds a contemporary touch with its rounded, ergonomic design in molded polyethylene.
Adding a sensual yet essential dimension is Ricardo Fasanello’s 1968 Fardos Chair, composed of polyurethane foam rolls bound by straps, which spill over their confines. In the second season, the grand meeting room is adorned with Shiro Kuramata’s Apple Honey Chair, featuring a slender tubular metal backrest, paired with a custom-made transparent resin table. Other furnishings emphasize sharp angles, dramatic diagonals, and oversized proportions, filling the frame with their imposing profiles. Standouts include the 1950s Slipper Chair by Karen of California and the 2018 Cozy Chair by Hannes Grebin.
Finally, no conceptual office universe would be complete without the quintessential workplace symbol: the desk. Severance’s metal desks are iconic quad workstations with dividers that can be lowered to allow visual contact—an original design by production designer Jeremy Hindle. These desks epitomize how furniture encapsulates and elevates the innies' world of Severance. For the next season, we offer a suggestion: why not consider the Olivetti Synthesis line, and in particular the desks by Bbpr?
Opening image: Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, Severance, 2025. Courtesy Apple TV+