Most of us know the feeling: the first sense of stress, and all self-maintenance (to avoid the oft-misinterpreted phrase, self-care) goes right out the window. This, obviously, is not ideal. Blood pressure rising, stress from kids, work, relationships, or a confounding mix of the three, is rightfully overwhelming. It’s hard to parse the constant stream of information coming at us from all sides, sometimes – in times like these, we need to disconnect from consciousness itself – and tap in to something else. The Iris Meditation Pod, designed by OpenSeed in collaboration with Yves Béhar’s Fuseproject, widens the boundaries of meditation, offering a space of complete solitude, wherever the pod happens to be.
The Iris features a womb-like wood frame that becomes a welcome structure for panels of sound-reducing felt, creating an incredibly immersive space. Soft, warm lighting exudes from a small gap in between the seat and the walls of the pod, slowly fading to a deep burnt umber as it reaches the middle of the wall. A soft light greets us at the top, with a warm circle with a sun motif, a simplistic eight-legged starburst that welcomes inclusion of the sun and warmth into our practice.
But the Iris Meditation Pod isn’t just about beautiful design – it’s a multisensory wellness tool. Combining sound, light, aromatherapy, and vibro-acoustic technology, it helps users enter a restorative state in under 12 minutes, guiding them into the alpha brain state associated with relaxation, emotional balance, and improved focus. Through guided meditations, breathwork, visualization, and soundscapes, the pod is equipped with everything you need for a personalized experience of sound and color – stimuli proven to relax musculature and slow heart rate. It’s an effortless way to shift gears, recharge, and return to the day feeling more grounded.
Designed with workplace wellness in mind, Iris is the kind of innovation that could change how we think about breaks altogether. While originally conceived for commercial spaces – offices, hotels, and healthcare environments – its relevance at home is hard to ignore. One could easily imagine the pod becoming a personal sanctuary for parents, creatives, or anyone seeking calm amid the noise of everyday life. As Béhar puts it, “Day-to-day stress is unavoidable, but by being present and more aware of our feelings, we might also be able to achieve higher levels of emotional intelligence.”
Fuseproject’s design focuses on creating an intentional and intimate wellness refuge where calm and connection are realized. Enhanced sound insulation, vibro-acoustic flooring, and a soft lock mechanism with a discreet “do not disturb” indicator make each session feel deeply private. Optional accessories – like red light therapy – add to the customizable experience. The pod’s felt-based design, paired with warm wood finishes, allows it to integrate seamlessly into modern interiors while still standing out as a sculptural object of rest.
Beyond its design-forward aesthetic, Iris reflects sustainability at every level. Many of its materials are natural and recyclable, designed to be returned to the earth with minimal processing. The felt panels are dyed in soothing colors, while the diagonal wood-like strips that provide structure are 3D printed using filament infused with recycled sawdust – a clever use of waste materials that reduces overproduction and environmental impact. Even the assembly process is mindful: its modular components snap together through a simple tensioning mechanism, eliminating the need for extra hardware and allowing it to ship flat for efficient delivery.
Each Iris Pod can be customized to reflect a company’s branding or aesthetic, from the color of the felt to the interior lighting experience. Crafted from recycled wool and wood, it’s both sustainable and fully recyclable at the end of its life – a rare combination in tech-driven wellness products.
The inspiration behind the Iris – a reference to both the eye and the flower – reflects its organic, seed-like form. It’s meant to evoke a sense of calm and connection to nature, an invitation to pause, reflect, and recharge. As OpenSeed Founder and CEO Jonathan Marcoschamer explains, “We’re thrilled to introduce the much-needed Iris Pod to the world – a solution that not only addresses a real problem but also serves as a gateway for countless people to begin meditating and accessing higher states of mental wellbeing.”
Already, organizations like Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Hilton Hotels, Canopy Coworking, Vincero Cancer Center, VA Medical Centers, and even a state correctional facility have embraced the Iris Pod as a new kind of workplace amenity – one that doesn’t just look good but actively supports human recharge.
To learn more about the Iris Meditation Pod by OpenSeed and Fuseproject, visit openseed.co.
Photography courtesy of OpenSeed.
