Neocon 2013 in its entirety represented an incremental slightly better statement overall than previous iterations. Nothing breakthrough, though not of no consequence as there were several trends worth mentioning.
[ trends ]
1> Less playful, more formal….but not too formal. Patricia Urquiola‘s couch – conference seating with high backs for semi-privacy. The lines, and surfaces are shifting towards the more organic, while colors remain subdued with lots of white.
patricia urquiola | haworth | 2014
2> Fusion of office and home. Some showrooms used the word ‘crossover’ future but I like ‘indie’ as in “independence’ where the worker has a great deal more freedom to choose their working environment. Toan Nguyen‘s Lagunitas Lounge system looks like a living room sofa when in a home environment. Is the contract business model aiming at the residential environment for growth? I think so…
lagunitas lounge and table | toan nguyen | coalesse | 2013
3> More personal space. Ties in with “indie” where at Steelcase there were pod-like rooms which could be customized by each visitor, or private phone and video conference space, chairs with extra high backs and sides, some even enclosed.
mood pod provides personal ambiance control | steelcase | 2013
[ brands ]
Coalesse > working with established ‘design’ designers on the way to become the “Moroso” of the contract business. note: more details via interviews with Massaud and Nguyen coming soon.
toan nguyen in his lagunitas lounge chair with table | coalesse
jean-marie massaud on ottoman of massaud collection work lounge | coalesse
Designtex > creative repurposing of materials. Loop to Loop is the first (and greenest at this moment) upholstery made from recycling already recycled textile waste. note: more details via interview with ceo Susan Lyons coming soon.
loop to loop | designtex | 2013
Haworth > The new break-thru BlueScape communication concept offering 1,000 sq/ft of screen real estate, in real-time, worldwide.
bluescape | haworth & obscura digital | 2013
Knoll > A focus on the big boys with Rem Koolhaas “piece de resistance” (04 counter) that may be the first DesignART piece of the contract market
Steelcase > Their focus on technology vs furniture. The v.i.a. (vertical intelligent architecture) is extremely technical and analytical.
Technion > Offered most clean and minimal solutions. Such as the Interpret System
interpret | technion | 2013
Vitra > Very clever ‘indie’ desk and seating solutions by the Bouroullec’s.
tyde | erwan and ronan bouroullec| vitra | 2013
workbay | erwan and ronan bouroullec| vitra | 2013
