[ neocon’s 51st edition ] since 1969 neocon continues to serve as the world’s premier platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry. below are events with the merchandise mart as well as off-site satellite offerings.
neocon at the merchandise mart | 222 west merchandise mart plaza chicago [ directions ] /
[ show info ] /
monday 10 june 9am > 5pm
tuesday 11 june 9am > 5pm
wednesday 12 june 9am > 3pm
the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry celebrates its 52nd edition with the latest ideas, products, and experiences to inspire, connect and engage.
join luminaire for an exhibition of fantoni's newest collection -- atelier. designed in collaboration with gensler, the adaptive furniture solution empowers creative, yet practical work environments.
skyline design is pleased to introduce oblique & chevron, a line of architectural glass designs created by the renowned team of ronan and erwan bouroullec. the collection will debut at skyline design’s merchandise mart showroom during neocon, the annual design show in chicago, which takes place from 10 > 12 june 10.
above> transcend by suzanne tick for skyline design
a neocon 2017 runs from 12 to 14 june at the mart in chicago. at-a-glance preview…
3form / 10 – 142
a collaboration between 3form and brooklyn-based designer louis lim of makingworks has resulted in the creation of mobius, exclusively on view at wanted design in new york city in may 2017. now check out the latest at neocon.
andreu world / 10 – 132
invites you to discover our new collections at neocon 2017. we look forward to welcoming you.
save the date: please join us for the andreu world fiesta. this year’s event will feature traditional spanish tapas and wine along with a very special live music performance.
arper / 339
arper presents their 2017 collections at neocon. stop by for a coffee and explore the new products at their chicago showroom.
buzzispace / 10 – 111
at neocon 2017 on both the first and the 10th floor of the merchandise mart, buzzispace will realize its comprehensive approach to design for happy, healthy living, incorporating a range of furniture options, and serious acoustic solutions.
carnegie / 10 – 112 life is colorful with the roy g biv collection! the energetic collection spans the full spectrum with high performance upholstery and digitally printed wide width sheers that celebrate color at its very best.
designtex / 1032A
in business, collaboration is everything—but creating the right balance between openness and privacy is a challenge. casper™ cloaking technology by designtex is an architectural film for glass walls that obscures digital screens to outside view. it acts as a smart shield to ensure data privacy, while providing the peace of mind to collaborate freely in any working environment. this is a breakthrough that will unleash space design in the networked modern world. casper is the only cloaking technology of its kind anywhere. you have to see it to believe it.
hbf / 387 thomas lykke/oeo has collaborated with hbf to create the studio table series.
haworth / 312
come see bluescape and global commercial furnishings leader haworth an innovative new collaboration space at neocon 2017.
humanscale / 351 humanscale and the living product challenge. talking about sustainability is easy. what’s more challenging is creating a net positive impact. especially when it’s being audited and validated by the international living future institute.
herman miller / 321
when bill stumpf and don chadwick designed the original aeron, they combined a deep knowledge of human-centered design with innovative, never-before-seen technology to deliver a chair unlike any other. just as iconic films and albums are updated for new mediums, standards, and audiences, aeron has now been remastered to meet the needs of today’s work, workers, and work environments. by coupling co-designer don chadwick’s vision with herman miller’s latest research around the science of sitting, the new aeron works better than ever before—so you can too.
ki / 1181
join the ruckus at neocon 2017! get a first-hand look at how ki‘s ruckus collection is disrupting the design paradigm. in addition, we’ll be showcasing innovative product solutions developed using the principles of human-centered design.
keilhauer / 373 luno is for reflecting. a visually striking lounge chair that allows you to move, sit and communicate in your own style. design by eoos.
maharam / 1188
maharam design studio decided to develop a substrate: apt introduces a new polymer that combines a silicone face with a polyurethane-and-silicone mid-layer to maharam’s offering of nonwoven upholstery textiles. using a proprietary formulation. apt is the result of five years of research and development.
mohawk / 377
go behind-the-scenes with mohawk group for a sneak preview of the bold and stylish floorcoverings they’ll be showcasing this year. take a peek at our entire lineup.
okamura / 11 – 124 alt piazza is an office furniture of the future that turns office shared space into a place where you can work comfortably.
steelcase / 300 steelcase workplace advisor empowers organizations to measure the effectiveness of the workplace, and improve it based on easy-to-understand, actionable data accessible through an online dashboard.
teknion / 10 -48 around is fully featured, yet clever new new task chair. hidden innovations facilitate a simple chair design with a light, minimalist form. designed by justus kolberg, around is remarkably comfortable, versatile and easy to use.
vitra / 1192 vitra has been developing and producing office chairs for over 40 years. its first model, the vitramat, set new industry standards, and many of its successors have continued to revolutionize workplace seating. to accompany the market launch of the pacific chair, am chair and id chair update, we are introducing the task chair campaign: a new digital tool that provides existing and prospective customers with an inspiring presentation of these chairs.
wilkhahn’s new metrik cantilever chair stands apart for its sculptural shape and contours which bring modern automotive design to mind. polygonal shapes and rounded edges are part of a distinctive body which is defined by form-fit assembly of the tubular steel frame and seat component. design by whiteID.
[ neocon’s 49th edition ] since 1969 neocon continues to serve as the world’s premier platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry. below are events with the merchandise mart as well as off-site satellite offerings.
neocon at the merchandise mart | 222 west merchandise mart plaza chicago [ directions ] /
[ show info ] /
monday 12 june 9am > 5pm
tuesday 13 june 9am > 5pm
wednesday 14 june 9am > 3pm
above> introducing montara650 collection by the coalesse design group and lievore altherr molina
coalesse® engages a&d as participants at neocon 2016 / #1032 – a&d community invited to take part in the design process
coalesse, recognized for forward-looking, design-driven products that foster social connection, creative collaboration, and focus and rejuvenation, is inviting the a&d community to participate in the design process through a range of new products and custom capabilities at neocon 2016.
its showroom #1032, will feature expressions of custom capabilities that can be applied through the newly launched potrero415™ tables, massaud conference seating, and the montara650™ collection, among other products, giving a&d professionals the opportunity to discover new ways of personalizing through color and pattern, materials and features, and shape and size to make it their own and enhance emotional engagement at the workplace.
showroom visitors are also invited to participate in the design process through coalesse’s new customizer web app, which demonstrates ways of applying custom color and pattern to the groundbreaking lessthanfive™ chair. the web app and degree of product offerings make customization highly-attainable, empowering clients to be curators of a more meaningful design experience.
below> vitra & artek / #1192 // north american introductions / vitra customized applications
at neocon, vitra will present a series of projects that demonstrate how it has optimized collaboration with client project teams. this provides clients a direct dialogue and unprecedented access to vitra’s top design talent, allowing for the custom-development of new product applications for large scale projects.
below> mohawk group / #377 & 3-121
elevate contemporary spaces to inspired floorscapes through mohawk’s latest production collections. inspired by nature and designed to merge fashion with function.
below> mohawk group / moving floors collection / diagonal relief, fade relief, plane high, plane low, 656 green 24by24
designed to be dynamically moving base on the user’s point of view, moving floors was inspired by the multi-layered beauty of our cultural landscape. empowers designers to create kinetic floorscapes through limitless combinations.
below> haberdasher textiles / by laura guido-clark for herman miller / 3-321
haberdasher is an array of palettes and patterns, inspired by traditional sewing materials—and tailored for projects of various sizes and budgets. giving solids and patterns license to commingle or stand alone, haberdasher gives you license to play. mix. match. curate. collaborate. differentiate. and indulge.
above> there are 5 families each with their own identity. pins and needles: a simple pattern of pins strewn about a canvas becomes iconic in a highly graphic way. / string plaid: the crosshatch pattern creates a colorful, dynamic, and graphic twist on traditional plaid. / well suited: allows vibrant and deep colors to collaborate in a small scale, two-color nailhead pattern. / fish net: the quilted hand offers dimension and explores a large line of intense, warm, and cool colors. / tailored: the tightly woven grid texture creates a subtle surface that reflects light and contours form.
below> hbf & hbf textiles / 387
hbf has returned to its roots, teaming with esteemed designer and longtime partner michael vanderbyl to create introduce conexus, a work/lounge chair designed to function across any contract setting — offices, lobbies, hospitality environments…
designer michael vanderbyl notes, “i strive for timelessness. conexus plays with the shape of a classic lounge chair and transforms it into a more organic form that showcases the exceptional craftsmanship in the woodwork and the upholstery. the wood merges with the upholstery in such a seamless way that the piece takes on a sculptural quality, an engineering feat that hbf executed masterfully.”
below> hbf textiles highlights color, texture, yarn, and hue in spring 2016 collection
known for their artful and authentic approach to design, hbf textiles is going back to the classics for its spring 2016 collection. hbf textiles vice president of design mary jo miller started with le corbusier’s infamous lc palette of colors from the 1920s, and used these fresh shades as a catalyst for the collection.
below> tek pier / teknion / 1048
tek pier “is the first product of its kind to successfully merge wall-mounted monitors with height-adjustable worksurfaces,” said paul kruger, teknion’s director of design, architectural products. tek pier takes advantage of teknion’s altos demountable wall cable routing, structure and acoustic performance. the innovative origami mount allows for fluid positioning to share a large format monitor, maintain viewing privacy, or engage in touchscreen applications.
below> designtex / moquette / 1032a
moquette is a textile mash-up that blends a classic velvet weaving technique with the creative possibilities offered by digital printing technology. the woven structure employs a “moquette” construction produced on a modern wire loom, allowing some areas to be woven as flat bands while elsewhere selected yarns are lifted and then cut to create a short, dense pile. beginning with a simple pattern of alternating horizontal stripes of varying widths, the moquette technique adds complexity by introducing a sense of dimensionality, which is enhanced by the luxurious combination of lustrous and matte yarns. finally, the raised, plush surfaces of the woven fabric are printed digitally with a non-repeating and random color pattern.
the result is an intricate layering of textures and colors that evokes natural landscapes, reflecting biologist e.o. wilson’s concept of biophilia—the theory that human beings are instinctively drawn to the natural world, and thus that design following this principle provides a heightened sensation of comfort and repose. below> parentesit freestanding / by lievore altherr molina for arper / 339
arper extends the functionality of parentesit to include freestanding models for increased privacy and comfort. architectural in scale, these modules carve out a three-dimensional space for concentration or quiet conversation in shared workspaces or collaborative environments.
parentesit was created with a dual inspiration of minimalist art and classic japanese interiors. to shift this approach to an architectural scale, the screen is capable of dividing a room in half, or partitioning off a space for quiet, independent thought.
below> wolf-gordon / & 10 – 161
following dazzling installations of sculptures and interactive digital displays in past years of neocon, wolf-gordon has again transformed the market space in a new way. office_excavate re-envisions the cubicle-enclosed office by creating a colorful, open seating space that can be easily rearranged for meetings, coffee breaks, and recharging of phones and humans alike. the furniture, which can be used alternately as seating, desks, tables, or stools, will be upholstered in over 100 different wolf-gordon textiles. office_excavate is a collaboration of karlssonwilker inc., new motor, graham kelman and wolf-gordon creative direction. below> humanscale / 351
they’re not only previewing a brand new line of diffrient occasional chairs they’re unveiling never-before-seen niels diffrient designs. take a journey through human-centered design innovation and chat with founder and ceo bob king, visionary designer todd bracher and the rest of the humanscale team.
below> carnegie / 10 – 112
reflectacoustic is a groundbreaking design that controls sound and delivers heat and glare reduction through yarn, weaving and metalized backing technology. the textile absorbs and reflects back a great deal of light; all validated through 3rd party testing.
below node with sharesurface / sharesurface was designed by steelcase design studio / steelcase / 300
steelcase health research reveals exam rooms not designed for the modern healthcare experience . findings uncover five ways exam space is failing physicians, patients and family members; informs new design framework and product, node® with sharesurface
node with sharesurface features a rotating sharesurface that provides dynamic access to information, a central part of the exam experience. physicians using mobile technology are able to chart while maintaining eye contact, pivot the surface to share their screen with the patient and family for education and shared decision making, all while having mobility in the room. the chair’s back and arms allow doctors to have more conversational postures during consultation and the rotating surface arm moves out of the way for examination activities.
below> northern parallel / cf stinson / 10-1150
[ collection summary ]
• 7 new textiles, 72 colorways.
• a collection of coordinating textiles that explores the connections between michigan (where stinson is headquartered) and maine (where stinson houses their design studio).
• shared michigan/maine discoveries:
• similar geographic latitudes
• rigorous climate with diverse seasons
• inhabitants with an appreciation for nature and willingness to embrace the seasons
• michigan/maine ideals include work hard, build with integrity and if you are going to be unique – be honest. shared mindset explored through textiles that are hard working, unique, honest and full of integrity.
• made in america, small carbon footprint.
below> the doni collection / designed by giancarlo piretti for ki / 1181
if you can dream it, doni can express it. create with a fresh palette of energizing brights and sophisticated neutrals. imagine the possibilities with two-tone colors and unlimited custom color possibilities. the collection offers guest, task, tandem and stackable configurations.
rooted in david rockwell’s innovative approach to hospitality environments and public space, and inspired by his award-winning design for theater and entertainment, rockwell unscripted is a comprehensive collection of furniture elements that adapt to the spontaneous choreography of the work day.
“our interest is in getting people to look at their work environments as a stage on which movable furniture can be arranged in endless configurations. you can craft the scene around what it is you’re doing that day,” said rockwell group founder and president david rockwell.
below> lievore altherr molina’s arcel for bernhardt design / 399
glass gradients by scholten & baijings add dimensionality to a space by establishing a dialogue between the simplicity of the patterns with their signature color palette.
below> suri pouf / designed by sezgin aksu and silvia suardi for kolekiyon / 11 – 113a
inspired by headgear from the ottoman empire
below> elemental wall systems / 3form / 10 – 142
time + weather = beauty
inspired by the rustic look—created from clean materials
the perfect combination of sitting and standing – a new style of work posture
it is no secret that changing our posture throughout the day is essential to our well-being in the office. what’s more, adapting a posture that is appropriate for the task at hand helps relieve stress placed upon the body. okamura recommends five postures for increased office productivity and efficiency. among them is the perching posture, a perfect combination of standing and sitting.
speckle is a durable and easy to maintain textile ideal for any environment.
speckle comes in four color ways and in each the warp yarn subtly contrasts with the soft pearlescent silver speckles in the weft direction.
chilewich has experimented laying speckle tiles quarter turned and found that the natural color shift between warp and weft adds a richness and level of interest to this quiet weave. speckle is ideal for spaces in which the floor is a foundation for bolder interior design elements. a sustainable solution of bold and neutral patterns.
below> wilkhahn / 7-3082c
wilkhahn’s dynamic office seating utilizes patented 3d technology to encourage health, creativity, and productivity in the workplace.
by special request of the a&d community, will show for the first time at neocon, a white, through-dyed seat shell and backrest frame.
below> arborite high pressure laminates / 7-1018
recognizing the increasingly blurred aesthetic line between contract and residential design, arborite has curated a selection of residential products with crossover appeal to create commercial stones.
above left > cityscape loft’s modern, wet cement look is ideal for urbanites in search of a low-maintenance, industrial-inspired surface. right> industrial loft evokes the glazed look of oxidized metal, combining light and dark shades with a matte texture for a chic, modern effect.
below> amble / by stephan copeland for lightcorp / 7-8062
why is amble different? amble is a light with no moving joints or articulation – in fact, the only moving part is a gravity-powered “eye.” minimalist design meets elite performance in a battery operated dimmagle led task light. created by renowned lighting designer stephan copeland, amble is highly adjustable yet has no moving joints or articulation. amble’s lean, single-form construction enables excellent adjustability and mobility through the intelligence of its shape.
below> nima / by giancarlo piretti for american seating / 10-148
aimed for the higher education market and various contract environments, nima is an inspiring multipurpose collection of chairs, providing exceptional comfort through a sophisticated minimalist aesthetic.
below> stir kinetic desk m1 / 1067a
the new m1 is a height-adjustable desk driven by software that senses your presence, learns your preferences, enables you to set goals and actively reminds you to change positions throughout the day.
DesignApplause will continue to add to this post as well as social shout it during neocon.
asid / floor 1 west pass-thru
the american society of interior designers (asid) is promoting a healthy neocon experience – physically, mentally & socially. at its booth, the association will illustrate how design impacts lives in a creative, engaging way.
best of neocon digital wall / floor 1 north corridor
contract magazine reprises its best of neocon presentation. this competition of over 40 product categories is juried by nearly fifty architects, designers and facilities professionals. this year’s competition has a record-breaking 427 entries.
buzzilounge / floor 1 east pass-thru
buzzilounge offers a place to recharge with a playful pick-me-up at neocon. guest can relax with martin lesjak while taking the buzzibalance for a test drive, a seating solution designed in collaboration with 13&9.
herman miller plaza / floor 1 south lobby
whether just arriving, on the way out the door, or seeking a break from the action, herman miller invites attendees to pause, connect, and revive in its vibrant plaza.
ideapaint thinktank anywhere / floor 1 north lobby escalator
re-imagining how people collaborate through the creation of dry erase paint and accessories. this innovation continues with the neocon-exclusive launch of a new mobile collaboration system. booth at 7-3069.
iida effect/affect // floor 1 starbucks escalator
explores how a designed space evolves as people move through it and leave their mark on the built environment. designed by the san francisco-based, award-winning design firm, studio o+a
mayer fabrics – the vollis simpson collection / floor 1 north corridor
inspired by visionary american folk artist vollis simpson, mayer fabrics’ exclusive new collection of sunbrella® contract captures the whimsy, joy and intricate designs of simpson’s work. the mayer fabrics showroom (1173).
mohawk group – expand your boundaries / floor 1 kinzie wells entrance
explore the “expand your boundaries” theme, with new inspiration, cutting-edge technology and unique product formats. the mohawk group showroom (377).
mohawk group & install – “expand your boundaries” with install / floor 1 north lobby
mohawk group will be activating another space that will invite show-goers to expand their horizons with new installation methods.
new talent spotlight: five designers to watch presented by metropolis magazine in partnership with neocon / floor 1 west pass-thru
metropolis debuts five new talents in a curated installation at neocon 2016. each new talent will display 3 to 5 objects of design, following metropolis’s at-all-scales approach.
snowsound call zones / floor 7 pass-thrus
attendees can enjoy a moment of italian inspired peace and quiet. walls lined with snowsound cubbies in two locations provide private acoustic call zones for attendees. visit snowsound’s main booth (7-4022) for an espresso and introduction to five new design solutions. *snowsound is also providing acoustic panels for seminar rooms: 615 & 1450.
wolf-gordon “office_excavate” / floor 1 center pass-thru
an imaginative rethinking of workplace interactions with office_excavate, an inviting gathering space. over 100 textiles, arranged by color, are upholstered to a grotto-like seating area and to asymmetrical forms. the wolf-gordon showroom (10-161)
[ awards ]
contract magazine’s best of neocon® awards
a 27th year tradition, products are introduced to the market in 42 categories. over 40 jurors comprised of interior designers, architects and facilities management professionals, review close to 350 products before neocon begins. in late may 2016, all products that are entered the best of neocon will be available for viewing on the contract network.
iida/contract magazine showroom & booth design competition
the iida/contract magazine showroom and booth design competition seeks to honor originality of design, visual impact, effective use of materials and the outstanding use of space, color, texture, lighting, and graphics in showrooms and booths at neocon 2016.
interior design hip at neocon awards
the third annual interior design hip at neocon awards honors exceptional people and innovative products. this initiative, unique within the design world, honors commercial industry pioneers and achievement in design solutions and product applications. winners are announced at an exclusive event on sunday, june 12. attendees can visit hip showrooms throughout neocon and celebrate at the hip hip hooray event on tuesday, june 14 from 5 – 7 pm on the south drive of the mart. tickets required and are available at: hiphiphooray2016.splashthat.com #hipawards
#metropolislikes
metropolis editors will select the top designs of neocon 2016. winners will be announced live on metropolismag.com, twitter, and instagram to over 200,000 metropolis followers, and receive a custom award delivered in person at neocon. show-goers can follow #metropolislikes for the list of 2016 winners.
product innovations awards –buildings magazine
celebrating introductions that maximize productivity and sustainability, this awards program covers flooring, seating, lighting, walls and partitions, acoustics, furniture and restrooms.
for showroom/exhibitor news, images and real-time information, follow neocon on the following social media channels: facebook, twitter, instagram, linkedin, pinterest and vine.
for additional product and show information, attendees can visit the new “my planner” feature on neocon’s site. it boasts an online image and video gallery with product descriptions and general company information. those who complete their free profile can schedule appointments and contact each other via the system. my planner can even suggest potential connections based on user interests.
[ special events ]
diffa chicago: gala 2016 – the illumination ball
saturday june 11
6:30p – cocktail reception | 8p – dinner, entertainment, dancing
chicago marriott downtown magnificent mile
tickets: 312.644.6412 or diffachicago.org
iida cool awards gala
sunday june 12
7 – 11p
the ritz carlton hotel
rsvp: aisha williams at awilliams@iida.org
black-tie
2016 best of neocon award winners’ breakfast
monday june 13
7:30a
the renaissance hotel ballroom, one west wacker drive
tickets: www.contract-network.com through 6/6
groupe lacasse 60th anniversary party
monday june 13
4 – 7p
floor 2 suite 226
rsvp: by invitation only
groupe lacasse is celebrating 60 years of inspired design made with passion.
showroom parties
monday june 13
5 – 7p
festivities will be in full swing on monday night. attendees can showroom-hop on floors 1, 3, 10 and 11 and network, experience new products and enjoy food & cocktails.
dear morlen, we look forward to your zona tortona-like vision on south drive
guerrilla truck show @ neocon
tuesday june 14
9a – 7p
south drive
a satellite version of the ultra popular emerging design event produced by morlen sinoway, which ran in chicago’s fulton market for 10 years, will be featured on the south drive of the mart all day on tuesday, june 14. sinoway will curate a selection of 10 up- and-comers showcasing prototype work and objects of design in the back of box trucks.
supported by: gensler, skender construction / event design provided by aiga in collaboration with leo burnett department of design, multiple, ogilvy485, someoddpilot, and trunk club
booth parties
tuesday june 14
3 – 5p
floor 7
attendees should not miss the cocktails, conversations and contacts that will be offered in the 7th floor exhibit hall.
interior design’s hip hip hooray celebration
tuesday june 14
5 – 7p
south drive
$35 online (hiphiphooray2016.splashthat.com) or $40 at the door.
the guerrilla truck show will also be a highlight of the tuesday night hip hip hooray celebration.
association event – vinyl in design: solutions in healthcare
wednesday june 15
8 – 9a
holiday inn chicago mart plaza – 14th floor western stage house
rsvp: 216-241-7333 or cffa@chemicalfabricsandfilm.com
this association event is an outreach and education program presented by the vinyl institute to familiarize architects and designers with the wide range of design solutions vinyl products can provide in today’s healthcare environments. attendees will earn .1 ceu credit through idcec upon completion.
above> visitor center and reflecting pool | image courtesy of tadao ando architect & associates
Fourth of July marked the opening of the much expanded and renovated Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, in western Massachusetts. Originally opened in the Berkshire mountains by Sterling Clark, who feared nuclear attack on New York City would destroy art there, it is officially the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, now rebranded and newly logoed as The Clark.
After 12 years, the museum has completed a $145 million expansion. There are new buildings, including an entrance by Pritzker prize winner Tadao Ando along with a vast water feature and a pavilion by Annabelle Selldorf, who directed the interior renovation of the original 1955 Beaux Arts building and the 1970s addition, now renamed the Manton Research Center by Pietro Belluschi with Architects Collaborative. The vast site, with hills and trails, was designed by Reed Hilderbrand landscape architect and Madeline Burke-Vigeland of Gensler was the supervising architect for the whole project.
visitor center and reflecting pool | image courtesy of tadao ando architect & associates
Ando had already designed a building for the Clark, the Lunder Center at Stone Hill at the edge of its 140 acre site, six years ago. The freestanding research and conservation building with galleries shows off Ando’s brand of zen modernism. It layed off the imprint of plank like wooden forms in the concrete against actual wooden walls opposite them. The new building is more formal and elegant, steel, glass, concrete and granite. Ando is an unabashed devotee of Le Corbusier and the new building even shows the same sorts of dimples left in the concrete from the construction forms that Corbu did.
Here the concrete is joined by a red granite, to pick up on the Seventies building. That stone along with the long walls and reflecting pool suggests another modernist master—Mies and the Barcelona Pavilion with its green marble.
It’s very difficult to catch everything in this show whether in person or online. Our focus on 2014 new offerings surely limited discovery. What we did find in this year’s show provides a myriad of options for everyone’s needs as seen on our list below. We highlight several unique, innovative solutions.
[ vessel ] Designer Todd Bracher and 3M Architectural Markets engineering produce a solid quartz body that precisely controls light distribution from a single LED. Vessel comes in three lengths, six color options and two color temperatures.
zinta | lievore altherr molina | arper
[ zinta ] A bench makes it to prime time. Thanks to the exceptionally harmonious blend of wooden seat shell with softly rounded edges with partial upholstery on a light-looking frame, the bench is elegant and leisurely in appearance. It can serve as simple, single sofa or large-scale organizing principle in an open space. With a range of cushion options with diverse materials and fillings, it can serve a range of environments from residential to restaurant, lounge to office with equal ease.
avant collection | mark hiron | élan decca / photo courtesy decca
[ avant ] Designer Mark Hirons Avant’s concept of openness include the Lounge Chair, a simple, tailored Sofa and ultimately, to the inviting expanse of a 145-degree Sofa angled to support face-to-face conversation. Defined by a striking angularity, the pieces appear to expand and fan out. Avant seating is available fully upholstered or with wood veneer back that accentuates its crisp profile and sculptural presence.
[ lakendo ] LaKendo, designed by Angelo Pinaffo, is a family of chairs available with tip-up or fixed seat. Its multifunctional uses enable several easy configurations: with polypropylene, padded and upholstered seat and back or back in mesh. The metal frame has a peculiar section’s profile which makes the seat more resistant and supports others specific features such as a set for arms, tip-up seat, wheels and supports sled and bench versions. Among the accessories is available the tablet for both arms.
social chair | yves behar | herman miller / photo courtesy hm
[ social chair ] The Social Chair is the core component of the Public system, bringing new ergonomics, functionality and durability to soft seating while accommodating a range of people and postures. Public is the first office system to support casual work and provide comfort, at the desk, in circulation space, and in group areas—all within a consistent design vocabulary. Designed by Yves Behar and fuseproject.
ballo | don chadwick | humanscale
[ ballo ] Created by Don Chadwick, designer of the Aeron Chair, Ballo is a multipurpose stool that encourages users to engage in short-term, active sitting. The identical air-filled domes serve as the base and seat and pressure can be varied just like a Swiss exercise ball. Ballo helps to reduce the risks associated with sedentary behavior and improve metabolism, calorie burn and core strength. There’s also an adjustable height option.
lo and syz | eoos | keilhauer
[ lo and syz ] the syz table is one continuous table structure with a seamless flow between the cast legs and aluminum extrusions It comes in heights of 29 and 26 inches as well as a very cool and casual 15 inches. Lo is a charming seat cushion. Research has shown that sitting with the hips above the knees restores gravitational equilibrium and provides longer comfort.
berlage | richard hutten | ki
[ berlage ] The Berlage Chair was originally designed in 2004 by Richard Hutten tributing H.P. Berlage, the architect who designed the Municipal Museum of Modern Art in The Hague for the museum’s restaurant. KI reintroduces Berlage in 2014 via their Blu Sky Collection, an initiative of finding intuitive products with unique stories. The strung seat, which is done by hand means each chair by all accounts is unique.
bounce by knoll | knoll
[ bounce by knoll ] In an effort to reduce a level of uncertainty with planning an office space Knoll debuted software developed in partnership with Estimote, a tech start-up building a digital platform to bring content and context to people’s current location. Bounce by Knoll monitors, measures and analyzes space utilization and the work patterns of the office, and offers a digital user engagement platform. Using the Estimote iBeacon platform, Knoll planted seven iBeacons in their showroom that would give attendees a chance to look at occupancy levels at different stations.
antenna round big table | antenna | knoll
[ antenna round big table ] Masamichi Udagawa and Sigi Moeslinger of Antenna create a clever adaptation of their adjustable height Telescope Desk platform. We’d also like to see a Ballo-like chair pair up with it.
[ grip ] GRIP is a universal table suitable for all purposes. A new design inspired by tightrope walkers, the top balances on a narrow beam supported by cast aluminum legs. Grip™ gets more stable the more weighted it becomes. Bases are die cast aluminum and are available in one size. Finish offered in glass bead blasted (textured) and a selection of powder coat finishes in black, white, red and silver. A variety of top shapes and sizes are offered in all standard Nienkämper veneers and plastic laminates, as well as black linoleum.
quiet spaces by susan cain | steelcase / photo courtesy steelcase
[ susan cain quiet spaces ] Susan Cain Quiet Spaces by Steelcase offer five diverse ways to empower introverts at work. Each space supports specific postures, work modes, and expectations for quiet and privacy supported by a carefully chosen range of architecture, furniture, materials and technology. Every quiet space is designed with V.I.A. which provides superior acoustic performance and offers an atmosphere where introverts can work their best.
lite wall | jeffrey bernett and nicholas dodziuk | teknion / photo courtesy teknion
[ lite wall ] Lite Wall is a series of lightweight screens that respond to varying needs of the open office. Using magnets, Lite Wall easily reconfigures without tools or any visible connections. Varying screen heights accommodate standing, sitting, lounge and other critical datum lines in the system/office landscape. Designed by Jeffrey Bernett and Nicholas Dodziuk.
millions of colors | grethe sørensen | wolf-gordon / photo courtesy wolf-gordon
[ millions of colors ] Earlier in the year for Wolf-Gordon, Danish textile designer and artist Grethe Sørensen introduced a ground-breaking technique of translating pixels to threads. Cooper-Hewitt plans to acquire her work once its new building opens in late 2014.
[ the list ]
> vessel | todd bracher(*) | 3M architectural markets
> mimeo | bruce fifield(*) | allsteel
> colina | lievore altherr(*) molina | arper
> zinta | lievore altherr(*) molina | arper
> unos | jasper morrison | andreu world
> mitt > claudia & harry washington| bernhardt
> buzzipicnic | alain gilles | buzzispace
> acoustical sheers | mary holt | carnegie fabrics
> lakendo | angelo pinaffo | diemmebi
> airblade v | dyson
> designtex + wallace sewell collection | wallace sewell | designtex
> avant collection | mark hiron | élan decca
> lex | studios architecture | halcon
> openest collection | patricia urquiola | haworth
> suite | steffen lipsky | haworth
> triscape | todd bracher(*) | hbf
> locale l-desk | sam hecht and kim colin | herman miller
> social chair | yves behar | herman miller
> ballo | don chadwick | humanscale
> quickstand | humanscale
> trea | todd bracher(*) | humanscale
> human nature | interface
> lo and syz | eoos(*) | keilhauer
> berlage – blue sky collection | richard hutten | ki
> antenna round big table | antenna | knoll
> architecture research office collection | filzfelt (knoll showroom)
> bounce by knoll | knoll
> remix | paul wilkinson(*) | knoll
> nexus collection | kari pei | knoll textiles
> scholten & baijings textiles | maharam
> grip | randers + radius / troels grum-schwensen | nienkämper
> grain + pigment | shaw contract group
> design journey | reesie duncan | shaw contract group
> quiet spaces by susan cain | steelcase
> form + structure textiles | teknion
> journal | christopher wright(*) | teknion
> lite wall | jeffrey bernett(*) and nicholas dodziuk | teknion
> millions of colors | grethe sørensen | wolf-gordon
> overlay/underlay | kevin walz(*) | wolf-gordon
[ 1968 > 2013 ]
Who’s watching ‘the sixties’ on CNN? Here’s a little ‘office’ perspective… HM’s Public Office Landscape – 45 years – light years away from HM’s Action Office, the original systems furniture designed in 1968 by Robert Propst that started the modern open plan revolution, etc., etc.
public | yves behar – fuseproject | herman miller 2013 / image courtesy hm
action | robert propst | herman miller 1968 / image courtesy hm
note: (*) we also interviewed 12 designers so stay tuned for more details on these and other great objects.[ best of neocon 2014 winners ]
Contract Magazine 25th annual Best of NeoCon awards for commercial interior products represent 39 categories. Over 40 jurors who are interior designers, architects and facilities management professionals, reviewed over 300 entries. Congratulations to the winners and to others to made 2014 a very good fair.
The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) building by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) continues the on-going implementation of the 2002 AUB Campus Master Plan by Sasaki Associates (in colaboration with Machado and Silvetti, MGT of America, and Dar Al-Handasa, Shair and Partners) to advance the university’s academic mission in the 21st Century with facilities of the highest international standards.
The IFI was established as a neutral, dynamic, civil, and open space where people representing all viewpoints in society can gather and discuss significant issues, anchored in a long-standing commitment to mutual understanding and high quality research. The institute aims to harness, develop and initiate research of the Arab world to enhance and broaden debate on public policy and international relations.
The design significantly reduces the building’s footprint by ‘floating’ much of the IFI’s facilities above the entrance courtyard to preserve the existing landscape integral to the 2002 master-plan, create a new public space for the campus, and establish links from the university’s Central Oval to the Middle Campus and Mediterranean Sea to the north. “The building emerges from the geometries of intersecting routes as a series of interlocking platforms and spaces for research, engagement and discourse,” said Zaha Hadid Architects.
Relocating the infirmary closer to the new university hospital presented AUB with the opportunity to build the institute on the constrained site with a 7 meter drop in elevation between its south and north boundaries. The existing AUB campus combines buildings constructed in concrete throughout the 20th Century in a variety of revivalist and modernist styles with different cladding and rendering treatments.
[ vitals ]
2011 Construction begins (January 2011)
2012 Concrete structural frame completed & Cantilever propping released
2013 External systems rerouting, landscaping, and interior finishes
2014 Inauguration
Total site area: 7,000 m2
New exterior spaces: 4,000 m2
Total floor area: 3,000 m2
Auditorium capacity: 100 seats
Floors: 6
Maximum height: 22 m
Length of cantilever: 21 m
Total surface of fair-faced concrete: 6,000 m2
Total surface area of glazing: 800 m2
Concrete cast in-situ: 4,200 m3
Total Steel used for structure: 800 kg
Employees on site: 90 (builders & technicians) for 1,100 days
Total working hours: 500,000 hours
the 26th annual [ international furniture fair ] is at new york city’s jacob k. davits convention center. we’ll alert you to events of interest, adding them to this post as they come in. we will be attending. following @ICFF #ICFF @wanteddedsign #wanteddesign @IndustryCityBK @NYCxDESIGN #nycxdesign
[ be original ]
sunday, 18 may | 2 > 3p / [ be original americas ] returns to [ wanted design ] with a hard hitting look at why original design is important – to everyone. amanda dameron (editor-in-chief, dwell), will lead a prestigious panel to explore how in the advent of our Internet age, good design is available to the consumer through myriad channels. so how can the design industry continue to educate the public about making informed choices, honoring authentic design and eschewing the convenience of knockoffs? panelists include felix burrichter (editor & creative director, pin up), giulio cappellini (art director and creative managing director, cappellini), paolo cravedi (managing director, alessi na), nasir kassamali (president, luminaire), bonnie mackay (bmackay consulting) and mark schurman (director, corporate communications, herman miller
event> be original americas panel: design for our times: authentic or bust! #BeOriginal @BeOriginalUSA
where> wanteddesign | conversation lounge | 11th avenue at 27th street
[ more information ]
[ wanted design ]
friday, 16 may | noon > 10p / wanted design[ pre-view – by invitation only ] a whole gamut of time-slots for bloggers, press, interior designers, vip’s and everyone else taking place at the terminal stores, the tunnel [ WANTEDDESIGN 2014 ]
friday 16 thru 31 may / wallpaper* handmade in new york | fresh from milan’s salone del mobile, the exhibition dedicated to the marriage of craftsmanship and design, will arrive in new york for ICFF with several newly commissioned design pieces created in collaboration with british car manufacturer jaguar. the exhibition will be held in the 345meatpacking building, a new luxury development from ddg. [ more handmade ]
event> wallpaper* handmade in new york
where> 345meatpacking | west retail 345 West 14th Street
[ herman miller ]
friday, 16 may | 4 > 6p / alexander girard: an uncommon vision [ pre-view – by invitation only ] on the occasion of the first archival reintroductions of furniture and screen-printed fabric panels by iconic 20th century designer alexander girard, herman miller and maharam celebrate his life and work with a special exhibit and installation. an uncommon vision will be open to the public 17 > 28 may 17-28 at .
event> alexander girard: an uncommon vision
where> 446 west 14th street
[ herman miller ]
saturday, 17 may | 4 > 6p / herman miller collection [ pre-view – by invitation only ] join us in celebrating the herman miller collection and get a sneak peek at new designs from bassamfellows and Studio 7.5, as well as exciting reissues from the archives.
event> herman miller collection
where> 848 washington street / the standard hotel, highline room, 3rd floor
[ flos ]
saturday, 17 may | 6 > 8p / michael anastassiades string & ic lights | celebrate north american debut of string lights and IC lights and view local artist shantell martin’s one-of-a-kind drawings. refreshments served.
event> michael anastassiades string & ic lights | opening reception
where> 152 greene street (at houston)
[ cappellini> ]
saturday, 17 may | 6 > 8p / branching light | cocktail reception | exhibition of new works by ivan butorac 17 > 31 may 2014.
friday, 16 may | noon > 10p / chicagoland in new york | is an exhibition of design work by 14 chicago designers that will be shown during NYCxDesign. it’s challenging to see it all opening night, so we invite you to join us again saturday at 4pm. we’ll be serving beer from the chicago-based revolution brewery. press preview noon > 4p
event> chicagoland in new york | opening reception 7 > 10p
where> 269 11th avenue terminal stores
>> EXHIBITIONS / POP-UPS <<
[ rational x intuitive thought ]
17 > 19 may / rational x intuitive thought | drawing from the spirit of duality between designers george yabu & glenn pushelberg, the exhibition will launch new collections for pampaloni, stellar works, avenue road, van rossum and the rug company. public viewing 17 > 19 may.
where> swiss institute, 18 wooster street
[ empasso ]
thru 3 june / empasso gallery: compasso | usa launch of newly re-issued furniture pieces designed by oscar niemeyer & jorge zalszupin, two of brazil’s most celebrated and influential architects. public viewing thru 3 june.
where> 38 north moore street (hudson street)
[ industrycity/design ]
thru 20 may / industrycity/design | a historic, thirty-acre manufacturing and innovation complex on the waterfront in sunset park, brooklyn, as part of NYCxDESIGN. open to public all day noon > 7p / sunday noon > 4p / closed monday, 19 may.
where> 220 36th street / brooklyn
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