neocon 2019.
neonon marks its 51st edition as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry.
neonon marks its 51st edition as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry.
on tuesday, 12 june luminaire chicago will host the opening reception of achille castiglioni 100. the exhibition will explore the designer’s creative process by deconstructing a curated selection of his most iconic designs to reveal the stories behind experimentation, assembly, and product all in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry, #neocon50, will take place from 11 > 13 june 2018, at the mart in chicago. now in its 50th edition, we wanted to make sure the exciting trade event was on your radar.
from product launches, 4 marquee presentations, 100+ ceu seminars, and other special events, the show is a must-attend for the industry’s top professionals.
since its launch in 1969, neocon has evolved into an international design hub that brings together more than 50,000 professionals for networking opportunities as well as dynamic and diverse learning experiences. its powerful conference program is at the forefront of thought leadership, delivering distinguished speakers, ideas and innovations that are shaping the global landscape of workplace, healthcare, hospitality, government, education, retail and more.
show photos from last year are available in high-res here. more information can be found at neocon.com
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.
above> the vitra color and material library by hella jongerius – ten years ago, the dutch designer hella jongerius began a research project for vitra to study the properties and possibilities of colors, textures, finishes and materials. this long-term project has resulted in the vitra color & material library, devoted to the establishment and further development of an intelligent system of colors, materials and textiles. this concept facilitates a higher degree of specificity in interior design. in her book “i don’t have a favourite colour”, which was launched at vitra’s 2016 milan presentation, hella jongerius describes her method of research and the application of its results to the vitra product portfolio. courtesy © vitra photography labadie/van tour
below. the kaari collection by ronan and erwan bouroullec for artek courtesy © artek
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.
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.
below> introducing rockwell unscripted™ / knoll / 1111
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
below> glass gradients by scholten & baijings / skyline design / 1060
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
below> repiroue perching stool / okamura / 11 – 124
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.
below> chilewich contract launches speckle / 7 – 6030
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.
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.
[ architectural & decorative glass ]
plank | joel berman glass studios (gold)
pattern+ | 3form (silver)
[ architectural products ]
softwall & softblock | molo (gold)
trivati | haworth (silver)
snowsound acoustic panels | atlantic (silver)
susan cain quiet spaces | steelcase (editor’s choice) ####
susan cain / Courtesy gs studios/steelcase
[ carpet: fiber ]
econyl | aquaful (gold)
[ carpet: broadloom ]
dissemblage | milliken (silver)
[ carpet: modular ]
mixed materials | patcraft (gold)
design journey | ressie duncan & shannon cochron | shaw contract group (silver)
breaking form collection | mohawk group (editor’s choice)
ressie duncan & shannon cochron
[ case goods ]
suite | steffen lipsky | haworth (gold) / image courtesy haworth (gold)
journal | christopher wright | teknion (silver)
steffen lipsky (standing) / image courtesy haworth
[ collaborative collections ]
openest collection | patricia uriquiola | haworth (best of competition & gold)
tesano | nucraft (silver)
go! | clarus glassboards (innovation)
buzzipicnic | buzzispace (editor’s choice)
patricia uriquiola / image courtesy haworth
[ conference room furniture ]
kai | nucraft (gold)
karo collection | tuohy (silver)
[ education solutions ]
go juice | palmer-hamilton (gold)
hive | palmer-hamilton (silver)
[ files & mobile storage systems ]
territory | inscape (gold)
straddle ped | jrb studio (silver)
[ flooring: hard surface ]
substrate | tandus centiva (gold)
stratum | usf contract (silver)
[ furniture systems ]
trellis | ki (gold)
lex | halcon (silver)
[ furniture systems: enhancements ]
interval+ | inscape (gold)
hi-lo | davies office (silver)
[ furniture: benching ]
inscape bench | inscape (gold)
antenna telescape | knoll (silver)
[ healthcare fabrics & textiles ]
spirit collection | knol textiles (gold)
valetudo collection | pallas textiles (silver)
envi nature based non-wovens | cf stinson (innovation)
[ healthcare flooring ]
collective time | shaw contract group (gold)
tapis collection | tandus centiva (silver)
mixed message | tandus centiva (innovation)
[ healthcare furniture ]
divo | okamura (silver)
[ healthcare: guest/lounge seating ]
palisade collection | nemschoff/herman miller (silver)
[ healthcare: patient seating ]
jordan active | krug (silver)
[ lighting: decorative ]
vessel | todd bracher | 3m architectural markets (gold)
color mix lighting | seeyond architectural solutions (silver)
vessel
[ lighting: task/desktop ]
lustre | esi ergonomic solutions (gold)
[ lounge furniture collections ]
triscape collection | todd bracher | hbf (gold)
kalyde | safco (silver)
triscape collection
[ office accessories ]
veil | inscape (gold)
soto II | steelcase (silver)
[ seating: benches ]
modo | davis (gold)
zinta | jeanette altherr | arper (editor’s choice)
jeanette altherr
[ seating: conference ]
flex corporate | andreu world (gold)
graph | wilkhahn (silver)
[ seating: ergonomic desk/task ]
remix | paul wilkinson | knoll (gold)
mimeo | bruce fifield | allsteel (silver)
mvmt | biofit (innovation)
paul wilkinson
bruce fifield
[ seating: guest ]
the washington collection | knoll (gold)
<5_my | michael young | coalesse (silver)
savor | gunlocke (editor's choice)
michael young
[ seating: sofas & lounge ]
ragland | piergiorgio cazzaniga | andreu world (gold)
mitt | bernhardt design (silver)
ragland
[ seating: stacking ]
lakendo | diemmebi (gold)
unos chair | jasper morriosn | andreu world (silver)
unos
[ signage & wayfinding ]
moxie graphic panels | takeform (gold)
seeyond facing series | seeyond architectural solutions (silver)
[ software technologies ]
ofcdesk idc | ofcdesk (gold)
beyond designer for revit | allsteel (silver)
[ surfacing materials/finishes ]
3m di-noc | 3m architectural markets (gold)
varia ecoresin | 3form (silver)
[ tables: occasional ]
triscape occasional table | todd bracher | hbf (gold)
match | davis (silver)
[ tables: training & work ]
bold one collection | bold (gold)
goto worktables | peter pepper (silver)
[ technology support ]
edge-evolve | esi ergonomic solutions (gold)
tablik | innovative office products (silver)
[ technology-integrated solutions ]
stir kinetic desk | stir (gold)
elven sound driver | ofs brands (silver)
presentable | presentia (innovation)
[ textiles: upholstery ]
elodie blanchard collection | hbf (gold)
archival collection | knoll (silver)
the nettle collection | camira fabrics (innovation)
designtex wallace & sewell | catherine stowell | designtex (editor’s choice)
elodie blanchard collection
catherine stowell
[ wall treatments ]
nappacraft | concertex (silver)
alexander girard collection | skyline design (silver)
alexander girard collection
[ walls: movable ]
lite wall | teknion (gold)
aria | inscape (silver)
[ window treatments ]
alphacoustic, betacoustic, gammacoustic | carnegie (gold)
shadeloc | mechosystem (silver)
[ workplace technologies ]
freeaxez power |freeaxez (gold)
logison target | logison acoustic network (silver)
[DesignApplause] We’re are with Haworth designer Nicolai Czumaj-Bront. Nicolai, congratulations, a Best of Neocon Silver. Please tell us about your Harbor Work Lounge collection.
[Nicolai Czumaj-Bront] Thank you, very proud about the award. We are introducing this collection for Haworth. Technology today allows us to work anywhere and how we want to. Because of that, we bring a lot of stuff with us. Bag, notebook, iPpod, tablet, computer, laptop or your drink. Whatever you need to feel comfortable to work the way you want. Now you can work in a private space, collaborative space, hotel lobby / rooms, at home even…
The Work Lounge is meant to allow you to work where you want, how you want to work and have the things with you that let you do the work you want to do. It has a sliding tablet that slides away from and toward you to give you room to work. It has the wing, where you can put your other items next to your phone or tablet. Even a cup-holder to provide a place for you to put your drink. The ottoman even has a cup-holder as well in it. It also has high adjustability. This way, if more people come into a space, you can have someone sit in the ottoman and get more function out of it. There is a lot of variability in the options. You can do a partial upholstered, an exposed version…you can do veneer or laminate.
[DA] What is the exposed version?
[N] The exposed is the plywood form that you would see visually. You would also have a pad and a seating area as well as a little sway pad next to you. The exposed version would be fully exposed plywood. You can really dress it up or down. It has kind of a unique look to it, but also a lot of variability in terms of application, usability and aesthetics. It changes the way we look at lounges these days and how we work at them. How we can deal with different types of spaces, but also has something that is re-adaptable.
[DA] Yes, these are beautiful and lean. They almost look like they are wanting to fly.
[N] Yes. I think in airports they would go over quite well. Then also, you see the suede on the wing, which has a dual purpose. With a wool covered wing you would have slippery gadgets falling off if you twisted or moved around. But the suede keeps things where they need to be. It’s also water resistant so if you spill, it won’t stain the fabric.
The lounge and ottoman is really a nice composition of the aesthetics, the function of it. The heights and the posture are really a hybrid between task seating and lounge seating. You can be upright in this. A little bit more than a lounge, but not so much as a task chair. Everything between the function and the ergonomics of it are balancing between those two worlds of work and home.
[DA] What’s your relationship with Haworth?
[N] I’m an internal designer with Haworth. We have a program at Haworth where we explore 3-5-10 years out. If things make sense at the time, we move them forward. We look at how people are going to be working and how things work. It made sense to introduce the ensemble now as technology has evolved to allow us to work in many places. I had this concept about 2 years ago and have been working through it. We went 100% in January to bring it to NeoCon for the show. It’s been a fairly quick pace for the program.
[DA] Being in-house, is this thing built on things that are really Haworth-natural or are there new physical properties that bring innovation?
[N] Very Haworth-natural and easy to create as we are familiar with the materials and pieces. For example, you can do left or right handed. The nice thing about this is that it’s one piece of plywood. So inside the molded foam is plywood. But then they can either cut the left or right side out. Using the manufacturing capability to allow for the variability in application or function. Even the tablet is actually a larger piece of plywood they can cut from left or right hand. It’s simple tooling that’s been around for ages, but it’s about rethinking it and how we can do it differently to provide designers more variability in the aesthetics.
[DA] What did you learn while working on this project?
[N] Things can be beautiful and still elegant and pass all of the hundreds of thousands of BIFMA standards.
That’s always the goal. Everyone always wants it lighter, elegant and beautiful, but it still has to pass all of the standards that get greater and greater every year. In some ways, it was a reward for myself and the team that we were able to take the original sketch to the computer program while maintaining the aesthetics without sacrificing anything to pass the requirements.
[DA] The solution is so clean and light. You should do a sofa. How did you create the thin profile?
[N] Right now we’re talking about maybe doing a beam for this piece. You can imagine an airport having these two wings on the outside and a middle piece in between. We’re quite far along with all the pieces we need. A few more, we might be able to do this. After that, I think we’ll see a lot more evolution in home office products. With technology now, we’ll see how things go. We have some ideas in the works. It just depends on the market and if they are ready for it.
[DA] What’s really exciting and cool right now in the world of design?
[N] I’m really curious to see what will happen with 3D printing and how it will lend itself more to some of the big manufacturers. Imagine doing a chair that doesn’t have aluminum or steel tooling. Imagine making that one-off chair so each person could have a task chair that fits them more comfortably. What would it mean for more mass production? I’m really curious to see how that evolves as we go forth. There’s a lot of opportunity there to realize the ability to make things adjustable per the user.
[DA] Creative minds are really going to do things with it.
[N] The other thing is just sharing with technology. Just the evolution we’re doing internally at Haworth and what that will mean in terms of the workplace. Working wherever you want to. The beach, the park, a museum. I’m curious what will happen with technology both in terms of digital but also in terms of production. What that will mean for all industries in general. What it means for the flexibility of people. They can be more transient and work where they want to work while having more of a lifestyle. Merging those worlds.
[DA] Have you been with Haworth for a long time? Do you do other things besides furniture?
[N] I primarily do furniture and live in Chicago. I’m from here originally. I worked for a small consultant agency for a few years. I’ve been at Haworth almost 8 years. I’ve worked on everything from tables to task seating to more high-end things such as Haworth collection pieces. But mostly doing furniture.
I also do personal stuff such as work with reclaimed wood. I’ll take it and bind it together. All the old wood that has been weathered or rained on gets C&C cut it to reveal all these new colors and textures. The idea here is balancing how much control do I really have. I’m putting the wood together, but in the end, it’s the colors and grains that allows the wood to be what it is. It’s kind of imperfection, but that’s the beauty of it.
[DA] Are these winding up as sculptures?
[N] They are more stools and tables. But I’d like to do more sculptural pieces. Working with the wood the way I do, it’s wonderful how it evolves and how the materiality shines through when you let it be its own material and not try to control it so much. In that mindset I’m kind of working with this raw material with a very high-end manufacturing process which is very precise.
[DA] Like ‘I really want to make a grasshopper, but the grain turned it into a kangaroo.’
[N] Right, kind of just let it be what it is.
nicolai czumj-bront | haworth design studio
[ haworth ]
Laguntas was debuted at Salone 2013 but we wanted to the the designer of this interesting hybrid sofa/lounge, Toan Nguyen. We find him at Neocon 2013
[DesignApplause] Toan, tell us about the big idea within this product.
[Toan Nguyen] The Coalesse current tagline is ‘Work and Home’ and our concept maybe brings a little of the home into the office, a little office into the home. The home is more private, typically, than in the office, and a screen concept is incorporated early and the sofa can now function as a divider. An when we’re in a more expansive environment such as common space within and office or public space such as the lobby of a hotel, an aisle in an airport, we can feel more private with this concept.
Once we address the space issue we ask how to possibly add a little more versatility which we achieve with two operative sitting positions. And maybe you need to write and you don’t have any tables and we can add a table accessory. We also offer both high and low options and the low behaves as a sectional sofa. We just have a range from a lounging to an architectural product. Once the applications are met we realize we’ve created an all-in-one tool with applications that range from lounging to an architectural product. Laguntas is really a tool.
[DA] You’ve described shape and application. Tell us about the technology, the engineering.
[TN] At first glance this is a low-tech item, i.e, not made for gadgets. But the engineering of the product itself embraces technology. This collection is completely engineered, not a craft project but a complete industrial production product. We experimented with plastic: recycling, separation processes and injected several plastic pieces where metal was used before. Plastic today is really strong and light. Another innovation is a three-dimensional mesh on the panels. The metal frame under the bench is an innovation with a very thin and strong profile. A very durable fabric. The back cushion is innovative in shape and works as a complete upright back cushion or turn it around and it supports only your lower back. Two ergonomic options. The cushion surprisingly was a very long process because it’s difficult to create soft things. And no levers, knobs, motors to achieve this new shape. Simple.
[DA] I sat in the lounge and the cushion concept is unique. The down position of the cushion gives great support for the lower back.
[TN] Yes, you get lower back support with minimum materials and structure and all the support that you need.
[DA] Toan, what did you learn?
[TN] Many of the processes to engineer the sofa were new to me. I’ve mostly worked with Italian and German companies and this was my first project with an American brand and Coalesse has a very detailed process. It was interesting how all the challenges were addressed and overcome considering the numerous options offered in this collection. I also wanted to keep the look very clean and simple, with no visible fasteners and effortless adjustments.
[DA] We have a couple of Eames Sofa Compact’s at home, and you see springs and screws, everything, in this 1954 product.
[TN] The evolution of the chair began before ’54. But the sofa’s evolution is very recent and still going on. A lot of innovation is happening right now. I feel fortunate to be designing a sofa in this period. It’s challenging and rewarding.
[DA] I’ve talked to several designers about the construction of your frame. It’s very thin and light but strong.
[TN] We refer to the frame as a table. There are no springs but there is softness. And the cushions are independent. If more than one person is sitting and one moves the movement is contained with that person. Which is more important at the office than at home. The contract demands are greater as the user is quite diverse. We wanted a sofa that fits your needs but at the same time the main goal was application.
[DA] What do you see today that excites you?
[TN] I enjoy working with a good team, a creative team. And the team is the design firm as well as the client. You need to find the people who really want to step forward to create a product with the right edginess. A recipe with stimulating ingredients but with a common vision. That’s exciting.
[DA] How were you brought into this project?
[TN] It was very simple. I had common friend with the director of photography for Coalesse. And we met over dinner, which is the best place, to share a discussion. And from this meeting we were asked to work on a small project. Then asked again for a slightly larger project. And then we were asked to develop Laguntas. Finally.
[DA] What’s next?
[TN] I usually prefer not to speak until I can touch it. There are some things going on for sure, but you will see later.
[DA] How do you reach the conclusion of a project?
[TN] The first process is generating ideas and then translating ideas through sketches. Then to computer renderings which refine the shape. Next, and what I really like anyway, is the prototyping. That’s when we start to touch and I like to touch, to feel, to see. The drawings and small models only take you so far. We need to taste and touch it. Prototyping consists of making parts, stitching fabrics, testing, putting all the pieces together. Everything is a question of making.
[DA] Who’s doing the prototyping: Coalesse, you, both?
[TN] We jumped directly to 1:1 scale prototyping at Coalesse. Each part was arrived at through detailed drawings. After trial and error with this part or that we arrive at 90% of the final.
[DA] A two-year process?
[TN] Even more.
[DA] Is there anything that we didn’t talk about?
[TN] Now that we’ve presented this product, I’m very curious about how will it be received, how will it be applied. It’s not a sofa confined to the living room where tradition gives us insight on the life of a living room sofa. That alone makes me wonder if I will try it and how that plays out. There’s the feeling that I’m not controlling things now and I’ve now passed Lagunitas along.
[DA] For me, when I’ve done something and it’s over, I’m a little sad. I grew comfortable with the process and the relationship and it’s like saying goodbye.
[TN] I’m quite happy. Because I can get back in the mix. There’s so many ideas, so many projects and so few good products. You know, we both about the sadness and the happiness but I feel we’re both about the drama and the passion.
[ toan nguyen ] was born in Paris in 1969 and graduated in Industrial Design at ENSCI-Les Ateliers in Paris, in 1995. After experiences in several design studios in Paris, Barcelona and Milan and notably ten years of collaboration with Antonio Citterio as design director and design partner, signing products for many brands such as Axor-Hansgrohe, B&B Italia, Flos, Fusital, Guzzini, Iittala, Kartell, Metalco, Skantherm, Technogym or Vitra, Toan Nguyen founded his own design studio based in Milan in 2008.
Toan Nguyen Studio is a multidisciplinary Atelier focused on design development in many different design fields, from furniture to technological products, in partnership with leading international companies based in Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and USA such as Accademia, Coalesse, Dedon, Fendi Casa, Gruppo Busnelli, Laufen, Lema, Moroso, Urmet Group, Varaschin, Viccarbe and Walter Knoll.
The Bellows Collection designed for Walter Knoll has won a Red Dot Design Award in 2010, Antero, designed for Laufen, has obtained the Red Dot Design Award 2012 and Lagunitas, designed for Coalesse, has won the Best of Neocon award 2013.
[ coalesse ]
San Francisco designers Mike & Maaike have designed Windowseat utilizing an interesting juxtaposition of furniture and architectural elements. The chair is being introduce at Neocon 2013 by Haworth.
[DesignApplause] Mike and Maaike, what brings you here?
[Mike Simonian] We’re debuting the Windowseat chair we’ve been collaborating with Hayworth for the past two years. It’s a lounge chair designed to provide an escape from the open office environment and give you a bit of personal space and break from the noise and hustle and bustle of a busy office, lobby or airport.
[DA] The ‘escape’ and concept is trending now and maybe you are the trendsetters. Did Haworth seek you out with this concept?
[Mike] The original concept was actually many years ago that we developed independently. About 2007. It was at that time more of an experiment. Not really intended for production. I think maybe it was ahead of the acceptability level at the time. Now, technology has changed and people are working a lot more on hand-held devices than ever expected. Now these furniture pieces are a core part of work. Anyway, we presented it to Haworth and they decided they wanted to include it in their line. Haworth is very excited about solutions of this type and they thought it would be a great fit.
[Maaike Evers] It’s a combination of that liberation of not having to be at a desk anymore. But also, the fact that this new generation of young people are going to come in the workplace. The workplace is going to be more dense and open and collaborative so that movement requires the counter balance to happen at the same time. Where are people going to have time to reflect or think?
[DA] 2007! You’re the genesis of what’s going on right now. If you’re a thinker and you wish to get away, the Windowseat lyrically opens a window. Have you seen the Massaud chair he’s done for Coalesse? He would love your chair.
[Mike] Yes, we’ve seen each others chairs. That chair is really interesting because it creates a complete cocoon in a way so you’re completely in a private space. The Windowseat is more about controlling your perspective yet still connected to the outside.
[DA] I sat ‘in’ Windowseat Thursday night and it’s an interesting experience, much more of an enclosure sitting in it than I expected. I liked the way swivel seat centers itself when you get up, ready for the next person.
[Mike] We wanted to create this room within a room. To make furniture do what normally architecture would have to do, providing the wall and the ceiling. In this case, furniture can do that as well. By letting it do some of that work, you’re able to deploy this private space anywhere in an your environment. We wanted to cut away at the enclosure as much as we could so it doesn’t feel like you’re hiding. We cut most of the back off so it’s open all the way down.
[DA] What’s the fabric? It looks and feels like felt.
[Maaike] It is a wool felt, but it’s a woven wool felt called Divina. This is the fabric we really like on this piece because it acoustically absorbs sound even more. From a sound perspective, it somehow creates a private bubble.
[DA] It’s interesting how this chair plays a space trick with your mind. It also plays acoustic tricks with the material and wrap-around but also presents a lot of air space.
[Mike] Yes, no one can sneak up behind you. Yes. When you’re sitting here, you notice you’re in enclosed space, but you don’t pick up on the fact that the space is not really there. People acknowledge that a person is there and that they want some privacy.
[Maaike] Yes. When we started thinking about this concept, we talked about playing in boxes as kids. The experience was both fun and good to have your own little vista with the flaps and doors you would use. Our concept started very rectilinear but we massaged it to be comfortably looking.
[DA] Did you present a prototype?
[Mike] Yes. It’s pretty innovative from the manufacturing and materials perspective and we worked very hard with them to achieve a good price point.
[DA] How did you model your concept?
[Maaike] We built the concepts all in 3D CAD to perform what we were after in ergonomic terms in order to understand the size of space. Pretty quickly we created cross section prints and hot gluing laser-cut cardboard to create a structure to see how it felt to sit in it.
[DA] The chair is visually interesting because of the angle of the enclosure. It looks like it’s just balancing on its legs.
[Mike] Part of the reason for the angle is that it’s inviting. And functional as you don’t bump your head when you’re sitting down or getting up.
[DA] Is this your first piece of furniture? Wait, you did a very nice table, Divis?
[Mike] Divis, yes. Though furniture is not our core business, we really enjoy exploring that space. We worked with Watson Furniture in Washington as well as Council in San Francisco. Chairs, room dividers. It’s nice to jump around.
[Maaike] Actually when we started working together, we came from the tech industry in the Bay area, we deliberately decided to break from tech and explore furniture and jewelry. It was a way of working where each space plays off the other. The range of materials and manufacturing is a source of inspiration and keeps our work fresh.
[DA] What drives your process?
[Mike] The CAD is part of the execution but everything starts with a concept for us. It’s usually an abstract concept or question. In this case, the concept was furniture and architecture: where can they blend? Where does one stop and begin?
[Maaike] That’s what happens when you’re a couple and you work together. You have to agree before you start working with each other. It usually has a very strong concept or else we don’t pick up the project.
[DA] How long have you been working together?
[Mike] 18 years. Almost our whole career.
[DA] That’s a wonderful story. In the design world, what’s really hot right now?
[Maaike] I am stunned to see how much soft more texture is coming into the workplace and how that makes for much more casual work environments. Much more inviting. More sense of color, texture. It’s fantastic.
[Mike] Along that line, these pieces by Patricia (Uriquiola) are amazing and to see that in a space that is normally filled with hard office furniture is really showing the office’s evolution.
1/6> windowseat | haworth
7> divis | council
8> mute | council
9> swarm | council
10> baha bbq | design annex
11> ATNMBL | concept
12> 24110 | concept
[ mike&maaike ] [ haworth ]
[DesignApplause] Jean-Marie, tell us a little bit about the project you’re working on for Coalesse.
[Jean-Marie Massaud] We are working with Coalesse on a liberal amount of products. which are not just products. Today, companies realize that work is being rephrased, today it’s about work and life. You see, the space and timeframe for working has changed, and Coalesse is trying to provide solutions that’s linked with this new way of living and working.
Some of us either have to work or if lucky, choose to work. My life today is to work on vacation and it took 15-years to accomplish this. I have been working this way for two years. I live near Saint Paul De Vence, in the city of La Colle-Sur-Loup. Part of my team is in Paris, part of my team is in Brittany.
[DA] How big is your team?
[JM] We have 15 people, not so much, but involved in big projects in architecture and the car industry. And these are few projects, not so many. I live alone with my family and I don’t have any people that are working with me in La Colle-Sur-Loup. And I work with my graphic tablet, receiving and sending drawings. I’m linked everyday, but I live on vacation.
I’ve proposed that my team also work on vacation. A lot of them want to stay in Paris, in Brittany. And they are not students, which was another kind of life scenario. They are efficient professionals, not obliged to be a prisoner of an office tower at work.
And so we tried to develop with Coalesse this idea, because it’s natural for them. It’s can be said, it’s a philosophy in which they believe. And when they came to visit me, I told them my dream is to be able to work and also be able to enjoy simple dalliances. So after I drop off my kids to school, I have a coffee. I’m looking at the sea, looking at the mountains. There is the snow.
During the coffee, I discuss with the waiter – he knows me – “Voila! What are you doing?” “I don’t know.” And: chat, chat, chat, chat. After half an hour, it’s done. And then I have to communicate. So I come back to the Wacom tablet, usually, to sketch. Or, when I have a very good connection with the iPad a video conference is possible.
And once I send the sketch to my office I’m free! And because I’m free I might do some sailing. And in this space my brain, packed full of many things suffers little constraint but just thinking about what’s next. I am always writing notes. While lying on the bed when I’m at the hotel or after I go do a run like I did this morning, I write more notes. And the work of the day is done.
[DA] So you write many many notes. You draw with a tablet, you have an Ipad, do you write digital notes or on paper?
[JM] I have – what do you say – a love for notes? My office manager tells that I have too many papers. My system works for me though I’m still waiting for an iPad with a graphic sensitivity.
[DA] There are applications and pressure sensitive styluses for the iPAd.
[JM] Not quite, yet. What I would love, let’s say, during a video conference, sketches could be sent, corrections made on the tablet and then sent back. It would eliminate the need to refine the sketch on paper and scan it. I could correct the exact curve, or exact section… I had this same conversation with Jonathan Ives three years ago. There’s a market. My freedom is linked to this product!
[DA] You want to do everything while on that boat!
[JM] That would be fantastic!
[DA] Tell us what your doing with Coalesse.
[JM] Our first attempt was to put the task into perspective. Coalesse creates classic furniture that’s relevant for the work space or home. I told them the best lounge chair in thw world is the Eames chair from Herman Miller. There’s no other product so smart and competent. If we are to do something – another one great one – maybe it’s not about the architecture, maybe it’s about the integration of your way of living, the sensitivity of the finishes. And so the final customer or the architect specifying the project, makes this product their own because of the link to life, to work. All of this made possible, not with a high-tech solution but with a lounge chair with an ottoman.
The chair is kind of an evolution. It now has a movable work surface in which to place an iPad, to…
[DA] Take notes. Jean-Marie, this chair is designed for you!
[JM] Yes yes, quite possibly. There’s a light in the canopy. A hands-free clip-on device holder. We can video conference in this lounge. A further evolution is maybe the need of intimacy, because if I am in a hotel, a creative agency, there is need for quiet space with little visual disturbances so we pull over the canopy.
If we reconsider the space of walking in an office or a dorm, the space has to be thoughtless. It only has to look like your private place, because more and more people want to feel- how do you say- to feel love more than efficiency. (laughing) So we developed these kinds of ideas.
And the ottoman is more than that (removing the cushion), it is storage space.
And the hood is very light. And there’s no need for electrical wire because of bluetooth, a wi-fi area. The beauty of the hood is how minimal and simple, a really elegant small space.
[DA] The acoustics under the hood is really good. Very little outside noise and we are in a very noisy showroom. You know it looks very twenty-second century.
[JM] Yes, but at the same time, the space is neither the mechanical expression where you feel it’s an office, and yet it’s the office of the familiar, something very natural.
[DA] Jean-Marie, what did you learn from this project?
[JM] Many things, but of interest to me, firstly, I learned to work with American companies. Yes. Working with Coalesse and the collection involving many pieces and several design destinations. No offense here but my experience working with European and an American company, the cultural differences became apparent first hand.
First of all, for me with this experience there were many more people involved on this project. In general, European meetings tend to be smaller, maybe two or three. But this collection, at times maybe 15 people in a meeting and I learned to be more clear in the detail of the message I have to give, because we are doing a lot of meetings. And everybody is very good at method, a very strong method in order to be sure that everybody (15 brains with their own culture and knowledge) shares the same content.
And it was interesting how to fertilize ideas together, with different cultures with the same vision, the same stakes. The vision was simplicity, to create some evolution, and not for the day after tomorrow. To be elegant, but in a sensitive way, not just to be efficient or just to be smart. Just to be elegant. And a merger of all things in today’s world, the work, the play, a way of living. Very cool and I love this feeling of being cool. Really.
[DA] Tell us a little about your philosophy, how materials seem to drive your solutions. The Toyota Me.We is a good example. Do the materials come into play with a project like this?
[JM] Material is just one part of the puzzle we need to accomplish a vision or project. Design adds value in this respect because design is about creative synthesis, and there are a lot of stakes we wish to unite. There is of course, the quality of the service we want to provide. There is usually an economical scenario we need to factor in. So we have to do things which are smart, we can share and to create value.
There is, the technical means and the technical states about lightness, about doing better with less, about the world’s soul which speaks to sustainability. So materials are super important.
For example, the hood on the lounge is made of synthetic felt. It’s made of reclaimed materials, and we see it mostly in a car, the ceiling, the doors. Actually the construction of the canopy, is very much like the ceiling of a car. The synthetic felt is easy to work with and do not forget, our brain is programmed to associate felt with acoustics, noise dampening. The cover on the lounge not only has good acoustics but it persuades your brain too. When you see it, you’ll understand. It will be quiet inside.
[DA] Tell us about the Massaud Collection.
[JM] I think the chairs are quite unique. And there are so many office chairs! For me it wasn’t a question of good taste or bad taste, I wanted to provide some sort of affordable solution of – a chair being a chair. The solution has to be elegant, but it’s about doing business. It’s using the same shell, the same little wire frame for all options.
And we do a lot of things with this principle. The collection doesn’t look plug-n-play, but it is. It’s a flexible collection which gives you, the person, many options to choose your condition, choose your identity. And these options both mix and match, there are low solutions and high solutions. The same with the armrest. And far from the very technical office chair.
The low chair is very low and the armrest disappears to make it more – could be like the shoulder bag for a girl. This chair for the female, it’s my favorite.
[DA] Yes, I like the armrest. Very stylish. Very efficient.
[JM] Efficient but not too arrogant.
[DA] Can you tell us a little about the Toyota Me.We concept car?
[JM] For me, this is an urban car concept which implies what you might expect. First, your eyes tell you it’s not about arrogance or sharpness of the shape- it’s friendly. It’s for the guy walking the street and seeing the car, it catches his eye. It’s for the user who isn’t scared anymore about the scratch or the maintenance of the scalp. Your eyes tell you don’t worry.
[DA] So the anti-crisis car.
[JM] Yes! There are dozens of materials or processes that are smart and we have to choose. The car appeals to many because we have many options to choose from. It has an aluminum frame and renewable bamboo floor and also recylable polypropylene panels with not only color options but texture options. After enough scratches and maybe dents simple replace a panel. The material here was a big part of this vision. You have to crystallize this vision in matter. Material is very important.
1/2> lounge with hood
3/4/5> lounge
6> height adjustable, swivel tablet | cord pass through at base for charging devices
7> ottoman storage
8> low-back executive
9/10> mid-back executive
11/12> high-back executive
Jean-Marie Massaud is a French architect, inventor and designer. He was born in Toulouse, France in 1966. Massuad graduated from the École Nationale Supérieur de Création Industrielle – Les Ateliers, Paris in 1990 and began working with Marc Berthier. In 2000, he co-founded the Studio Massaud with Daniel Pouzet and expanded his interests in the fields of architecture. [ massaud ] [ coalesse ]
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