top> eames lounge chair / charles and ray eames / herman miller — bottom > barcelona chair / mies van der rohe / knoll
between them, herman miller and knoll have 19 brands and a presence in more than 100 countries. how they market themselves going forward is a case-study-worthy event in the making.
herman miller has acquired knoll. both iconic office furniture companies have more similarities than differences and it’s fair to say the roots to their present-day success is architecture and design. herman miller started with wood, knoll started with the bauhaus. great starts to mark the beginning of this very interesting story.
above > back to the future photo of the j miller house (no relation to herman miller) in columbus indiana. in 1953 the miller’s select architect eliel saarinen and by now herman miller’s head of textiles, alexander girard to create their home. in the foreground is knoll’s saarinen furnishings on a girard rug – below > girard’s touch in foreground and middle ground a seating area of both herman miller and knoll furnishing. today girard is listed as co-architect
herman miller was founded in 1905 and initially the company produced wood furniture, especially bedroom suites, in historic revival styles until 1930. with the coming of the great depression the company was forced to explore new products to survive and debuted a line of modern furniture at the 1933-34 century of progress exposition in chicago. in 1942, with the introduction of the “modular executive office” group (eog), the company was primed to lead the industry during the 70s open plan workplace.
in 1945 architect george nelson joined the firm as director. over the next four decades nelson influenced herman miller through both his personal designs and the designers that he recruited including; isamu noguchi, charles and ray eames, robert propst, and in textile designer alexander girard. beginning in the late 1940s, the period under nelson’s guidance saw herman miller produce some of the company’s most recognizable pieces of furniture, including the noguchi table, eames lounge chair, marshmallow sofa,
above > homage to alexander girard in a herman miller pop-up during icff 2014 – below > cosm / studio 7.5
above> living office/placemaking – below > healthcare
[ herman miller designers ]
edward barber and jay osgerby
ayse birsel
todd bracher
charles and ray eames
naoto fukasawa
alexander girard
jasper morrison
george nelson
robert propst
bill stumpf others…
hans knoll was born in germany in 1914. his father was a modern furniture manufacturer, who supported the national socialist regime. perhaps because of his father’s views, or perhaps because he wanted to follow many other german modernists who had emigrated, knoll left germany in 1936 and moved to england. in 1938, he moved to new york city to found a furniture manufacturing company of his own.
in 1943, knoll was approached by florence schust, an architect who had studied under ludwig mies van der rohe and eliel saarinen. schust convinced knoll that she could help bring in business to his company even in america’s wartime economy by expanding into interior design and working with architects. hans and florence married and changed the name of the company to knoll associates. today knoll has over 40 of its designs–such as breuer’s wassily and cesca chairs and the barcelona chair by ludwig mies van der rohe–are in the permanent collection at moma.
above > classic southern california mid-century modern cool – imagining catching the view while listening to brubeck on vinyl / photos knoll
[ knoll designers ]
gae aulenti
neils diffrient
frank gehry
hans and florence knoll
isamu noguchi
jens risom
eliel saarinen
ettore sottsass
mies van der rohe
lella and massimo vignelli others…
magis, the italian design company, presents a temporary ‘pop-in’ exhibition at herman miller’s new york flagship (251 park avenue south). the magis way at herman miller is an experiential demonstration of the brand spirit – the most robust ever presented in north america – and is designed by swedish firm note design studio, encompassing nearly the entire second floor of the herman miller showroom.
“it is important to us that architects, designers and design lovers can see, touch and feel our products, says alberto perazza, ceo of magis. “for us, design is in our dna and we love sharing it with the public and international design community.”
the brand’s spirit and success are based on the desire to provide a wide array of users with access to highly functional, quality products manufactured with advanced technologies. to achieve this, collaborating with major international designers is essential –they have a vision of the resulting products that is ethical and poetic as well as aesthetic.
for the magis way exhibit at herman miller, note design studio has developed a pursuit of visuals and volumes through fascinating architectural arrangements within the renaissance-revival building (designed by neville & bagge in 1909) that herman miller calls home. the stockholm-based studio began working with magis in 2018, dreaming up their exhibition spaces for salone del mobile, stockholm furniture fair and more.
a welcoming setting, this space is an invitation to discover the new and iconic designs presented within it, including plato designed by jasper morrison, the officina collection by ronan and erwan bouroullec, bureaurama by conceptual artist jerszy seymour, chair_one by konstantin grcic, the famous spun chair by architect thomas heatherwick and many more. linking the products and vignettes are new rugs from the volentieri collection designed by inga sempé, featuring different types of yarns and weaves to balance color, texture, even light reflection through a mix of neutral and luminous materials. this is a new category for magis and the first time they will be on display in north america.
magis, founded in 1976, is proud of its “made in italy” quality and tradition and speaks an international language by combining craftsmanship with technical advances in manufacturing. the magis way exhibit at herman miller expresses the breadth of their portfolio in a meaningful demonstration.
“we want visitors to feel that they’ve just discovered magis, whether they already knew the brand before they visited the exhibit or this is their first exposure to it,” says tim straker, chief marketing officer, herman miller. “this is a chance to envision magis in one’s own space, whether it’s home or at work.”
among the values shared by magis and herman miller is a commitment to creating responsible design and a strong belief in design authorship. through this relationship and the pop-in exhibition, the two companies have woven a story of creativity and applicable authored designs for north america in a real and credible way.
architects, interior designers and design lovers can visit the magis way at herman miller by contacting (212) 753-3022 to schedule an appointment, or enter through the herman miller store, taking the stairs in the back to the second floor monday through friday 11:00am – 5:00pm.
highlighting achievements in educational programming, growth in support, and 2019 initiatives
new york, ny – the non-profit organization, be original americas, is making great strides aimed at educating the design industry and consumers on the importance of original design. founded in 2012, the organization works to inform, influence, and educated on the value of authentic design while investing in its future.
[ increase in architecture & design members ] be original americas’ support and influence has continued to grow with the addition of several new architecture and design firms joining the organization. tpg architecture, blatz architecture, rottet studio, bromley caldari, and gabellini sheppard join gensler, studio o+a, and michael graves architecture who pioneered the membership category last year. their stance on original design is critical in educating the end user and corporate companies on why originality is important and valuable in their projects.
[ continuing education unit (ceu) ]
working to make a difference in the industry, be original americas is developing two new ceu courses. the first course examines the materiality, innovation, and creativity that go into creating an original product. the course is currently available to members to present and is approved by aia and idcec, for architects and interior designers.
coming in q3 2019, the second course will delve into social, environmental, and ethical impacts of counterfeits. the courses have been developed in collaboration with peter carey and josina reeves of streamline creative.
[ student design fellowship ]
investing in the future of design is deeply rooted in be original americas mission. the organization is launching the fourth annual be original americas student design fellowship. the immersive, five-week program introduces two undergraduate students to all facets of creating innovative, high-quality products through hands-on, in-the-field learning. applications are currently open until march 21, 2019 through be original americas fellowship
the program will run june 17-july 22, 2019, during which the fellows will visit member companies throughout the united states.
[ 2019 events]
each year be original americas organizes an aggressive program of panel discussions, in addition to ceu events.
on march 27th be original americas, in partnership with louis poulsen and vitra, will be hosting an interactive event in los angeles with design-milk, clever, and several surprise guests. the event will be a first-time live podcast recording with five thought-provoking individuals.
from eames to saarinen, the midwest has played an integral role in the history of design. on may 2nd in minneapolis, our members blu dot, loll designs, and hennepin made will explore how the midwest’s design heritage and industrial innovation keeps them at the center of authentic design creation.
during nycxdesign, be original americas is organizing a panel discussion on may 18th at wanteddesign. more details to come. the organization will host an interactive booth (#1163) at icff, an industry tradeshow that draws over 38,000 attendees. the booth is being designed by member jon sherman, flavor paper and will provide an opportunity to donate in support the 2019 fellowship.
additional events in chicago, san francisco, and more are being planned for the second half of the year.
[ board, officers, and committees ]
2019 officers of be original americas include:
• president: john edelman, design within reach
• vice president: coleman gutshall, bernhardt design
• treasurer: tbd
• secretary: anthony lebron, cappellini
in addition, be original americas is pleased to announce the continued support of gensler and rich brilliant willing as board members for 2019.
since its conception, be original americas has;
• grown to 800 members, supporters, and followers.
• launched an annual student design fellowship in 2016.
• assisted the united states customs & border protection in the seizure of tens of millions of us dollars in counterfeit furnishings.
• developed aia and idcec approved ceu courses and presented it to over 800 interior designers and architects.
• organized over 50 events in 19 cities throughout canada, the united states, and mexico addressing more than 4,300 designers, architects and consumers.
• attained 25 north american, both print and digital, media sponsors.
• recognized as one of 2015’s ‘top 10 most innovative companies in design’ by fast company.
[ about be original americas ]
be original americas is a nonprofit organization that is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across the americas, through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and other efforts to promote this critical issue.
be original americas charter members – including alessi, bernhardt design, design within reach, emeco, flos, fritz hansen, herman miller, kartell, ligne roset, poltrona frau group and vitra, and board members, gensler and rich brilliant willing – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. through an aggressive program of panel discussions and ceu courses, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages public and professionals, along with our media partners, to fully support creativity and authenticity, to invest in the future of design, to incentivize innovation, and to give back to the industry and the people it serves.
this year’s neocon attendees will be the first to experience the first major renovation at the mart in 40 years. the cost: $40 million. a new name too: themart.
this transformation centers around the grand stair, a communal space connecting themart’s first and second floors, and includes a large multi-purpose space atop the grand stair on the second floor, a modernized, urban food hall and an expanded riverfront park with alfresco seating. attendees at the upcoming neocon 2016 event (june 13-15, 2016) will be the first to experience the new 1st and 2nd floor layout and amenities, including a specially curated lounge furnished with product from themart showrooms.
dynamic elements of the renovation include:
• the grand stair: a monumental new portal of themart, the 50-ft wide majestic staircase creates a connection between the first two floors, and also serves as a meeting or workspace with stadium seating, a large projection wall and free wi-fi.
• the lounge: a multi-purpose space with views of the chicago river and skyline, located atop the grand stair, will feature food-service and provide various areas to meet, work and socialize. during neocon, the lounge will offer food service provided by lettuce entertain you restaurants and be a convenient meeting place for all participants. comfortable seating and complimentary wifi will offer a welcome respite from the busy showroom and exhibit hall floors. lounge furnishings include casual and dining furniture by allermuir, bernhardt design, davis, hbf, herman miller and stylex, and floor coverings by masland carpets.
• the food hall: a reconfigured, reinvigorated and dramatically designed seating area with more natural light will engage visitors beyond dining and offer additional space for lounging, socializing and working.
• river drive park: a 5,000 square-foot outdoor green space along the riverfront connects tenants, visitors and pedestrians to themart’s main entry, and includes seating and shaded areas with dramatic views of the river and chicago skyline.
• reception/information desk: a new greeting point for the building located at the base of the grand stair.
vornado realty trust, the property’s owner, engaged innovative new york-based architecture, strategy and design firm a+i to lead the design process throughout the three-year capital improvements renovation project.
“rather than creating a port of entrance and exit, the architectural features of themart’s new lobby allow for a new kind of engagement by slowing down the pace of passage,” states brad zizmor, principal and co-founder of a+i. “the grand stair and reception area create a spectacular architectural landscape conducive to reflection, thinking and socializing. in keeping with a+i’s reinvention of the lobby as a programmatic space to dwell in, as opposed to pass through, we designed a colossal stair with a physical structure that is 80% meant to be lingered on as opposed to being walked on.”
other building upgrades neocon participants will find include:
• enhanced wifi service on the first and second floors
• A NEW BANK OF AUTOMATED ELEVATORS ON THE FAR WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING SERVING ALL FLOORS
• a completely renovated seventh floor exhibit hall featuring new floor coverings, wall system, lighting, wayfinding, and enhanced wifi service
about themart: one of the largest commercial buildings in the world, the 4.2 million sf merchandise mart (themart) is located in chicago, il along the chicago river. completed in 1930, the building continues to meet the changing needs of the office and showroom businesses it serves. as a gold-eb oem leed certified building, themart is committed to creating and maintaining sustainable environments.
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.
event> “being original: making the case for authentic design” aia and idcec approved ceu course date> tuesday 22 september 2015 | 12 noon venue> centro | 4727 mcpherson avenue | st. louis MO rsvp> by friday 18 september 2015 | office@centro-inc.com instructor> john james jenkin, ceo, driade
Be Original Americas™ will present their first-ever Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course on the importance of authentic design while delving into the nature of innovation and creativity. The economic, social, legal, and personal costs of supporting knock-offs will be highlighted. This will be held at Centro, St. Louis’ premiere location for the best in design, during St. Louis Design Week. Instructor John James Jenkin, CEO, Driade and a Be Original Americas board member will lead the program for architects and interior designers to earn continuing education (0.1 IDCEC/1 LU AIA) credits for members of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC). The 2 hour program will include a 1 hour course, networking and lunch.
[ be original americas ]
Be Original Americas, founded in 2012, is committed to educating, informing and influencing designers, businesses, and the greater public on the value of purchasing authentic designs. The goal is to elevate the discussion so that all who appreciate good design also understand the economic, social, and ethical reasons to support the creators and manufacturers of original, authorized design, thereby ensuring its future.
[ centro ]
Cento began in 1988 as a trade showroom representing furniture, lighting, and textiles from around the globe. In 1998, Centro opened its doors to retail clientele in the historic Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, MO. A showroom expansion in 2003 tripled the size of the showroom. Today, Centro is the exclusive St. Louis retailer for over forty-five of the leading design brands in the world, including B&B Italia, Driade, Zanotta, Tom Dixon, Flos, Cassina, Alessi, Moooi, Cappellini, Artemide, Fritz Hansen, Knoll, and Herman Miller.
new york design week runs from from 8 > 19 may. surrounding these dates is a citywide offering of design related installations and exhibits. for visitor’s interested in taking something in on the 19th or later, here are the best.
thru 19 may | sofitel times square | 45 west 44th street nyc french design connection / is back for its 34rd edtion featuring acabas, anouchka potdevin, armel soyer gallery, carpenters workshop gallery, dutko gallery, dyptique, servaire & co, valerie goodman gallery and wustenberg
thru 19 may | 11 a 7p | ingo maurer showroom | 89 grand street nyc new works by ingo maurer and team see new and several world-first prototypes, concepts and finished pieces.
thru 19 may | 11a – 7p | vitra store | 29 9th avenue nyc prouvé RAW office exhibition is a crossover project between g-star RAW and vitra. this is the second edition of this partnership. above photo courtesy of vitra – wundr studio
thru 19 may | 11a – 7p | the future perfect | 55 great jones street nyc wonder room curated by piet hein eek features a major installation of one of-kind collaborations and works of art from dutch designers hansje van halem, paul heijnen, linda nieuwstad and floris wubben. in addition works by michael annastasiades and local designer bec brittain and the newest roll & hill lighting.
thru 20 may | 10a – 5p | next door | 4014 1st avenue #603 brooklyn 1:1 piero lissoni exhibition originating from chicago showing architectural models and many objects shown in varying stages of development, from concept to finished piece. In new york it’s curated by studio next door and represents a special partnering with elle decor italia, carin scheve’s styling including emerging brooklyn designers.
panel discussion thursday 21 may | 7p – 8:30p | thru 27 sept | 10a – 6p | museum of arts and design | 2 columbus circle nyc women in industrial design: a changing field? in certain typologies in the design world – interios, textiles and tableware – women have been extremely successful while others – furniture and product design – they have been conspicuously absent. a panel of curators, industry leaders, teachers, journalists and designers share their thoughts. [note: more exhibit info on ‘pathmakers: women in art, craft and design, midcentury and today’ towards end of this post] above photo courtesy of gabriel ann maher
thru 22 may | 12noon – 6p | matter | 405 broome street nyc matter made 2015 collection bold new works from in-house brand matter made. also ana kras, henry julier, philippe malouin, vonnegut kraft and visibility are shown. solutions include the latest energy efficient led technologies.
thru 22 may | 12noon – 5p | moma design store | 81 spring street nyc moma design store presents: london tech city a new suite of products documenting the london tech scene in honor of nycxdesign.
thru 22 may | noon to 7p | project no 8 | 38 orchard street nyc ward bennett: making sense is an installation of sensual minimalism of iconic new york designer ward bennett. a collaboration between design institutions herman miller and geiger, the environment designed by various projects. above photo courtesy of herman miller
thru 23 may | 11a – 7p | kikkerland | 493 6th avenue nyc kikkerland celebrates china design challenger winners during beijing design week 20014 kikkerland in collaboration with leaders in design and innovation challenge young design talents. the winners are celebrated and their designs are being produced and sold worldwide through kikkerland’s distribution network.
thru 23 may | 9a – 8p | the center for architecture | 536 laguardia place nyc praque functionalism is the first major exhibition at the center for architecture to focus on eastern european design. the photographs are of functionalist buildings, projects and drawings.
thru 31 may | 9a – 5p | moiety | 166 north 12th street brooklyn design collective, field experiments presents a new project focused on the concept of ‘play as work’ featuring a host of visual and tactical programming [ program details ] moiety.nyc
thru 30 june | 11a – 5p | e.r. butler | 55 prince street nyc rise by karl zahn is part II of the momentum series. a large collection of mezmorizing objects in a display of motion and physical interactions.
thru 30 august | 11a – 6p | socrates sculpture park nyc agnes denes: the living pyramid new york city artist builds a 30 feet high, site-specific earthwork created from several tons of soil and planted grasses.
thru 13 september | 10a – 6p | museum of the city of new york | 1220 5th avenue nyc everything is design: the work of paul rand features over 150 graphic design examples by an american design legend. it was rand who most creatively brought european avant-garde aret movements such as cubism and constructivism to graphic design in the usa.
thru 27 sept | 10a – 6p | musuem of arts and design | 2 columbus circle nyc pathmakers: women in art, craft and design, midcentury and today features more than 100 works.
thru 15 november | 9a – 5p | cooper hewitt, smithsonian design museum | 2 east 91st street nyc how posters work exhibition shows 125 posters from cooper hewitt’s permanent collection such as masters like herbert matter, paul rand, philippe apeloig, to lesser-known creators.
ongoing | 10a – 6p | moooi | 36 east 31st Street nyc moooi new york technically not an exhibit but the opening on 15 may 2015 of a new moooi showroom. while we were in milan dutch designer marcel wanders alerted us to dutch lifestyle design company moooi crosses the ocean and lands in nyc to open its first showroom and brand store in the usa. marcel is moooi’s creative director among other things.
Fast Company today announced its annual ranking of the world’s 10 Most Innovative Companies in Design for 2015, honoring leading enterprises and rising newcomers that exemplify the best in business and design. Be Original Americas was named on the list along with Charter Member Herman Miller and 30 Weeks, Ammunition Group, Code and Theory, Gumroad, Ikea, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Beyers, Michael Graves Architecture & Design and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This honor was passed along to the more than 60 media sponsors, VIPs and Be Original Americas’ members attending the first Annual Members Meeting, held at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on February 5th 2015.
Most Innovative Companies is one of Fast Company’s most significant and highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. The magazine’s editors spend months gathering and analyzing data on companies around the globe.
antoine roset
In response to the recognition, Antoine Roset, President, Be Original Americas (and Executive Vice President, Roset USA Corporation) noted, “Being part of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Design is great recognition for Be Original Americas. Innovation is what drives our industry, and Be Original Americas is there to share all of the values that make an original product a better product; even a safer product. This acknowledgement represents one more step against copies and knockoffs, as we continue and intensify our mission of informing, educating and influencing individuals and organizations on why supporting authentic design is critical for our economy, our environment and our ethics as a society. If we don’t value and protect authentic design, what is design’s future?”
above> caroline baumann below> jerry helling
Caroline Baumann, Director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, introduced outgoing Be Original Americas President Jerry Helling (and President and Creative Director, Bernhardt Design) who, along with other Charter Members, addressed the significant progress of the movement and the organization’s plans for the future. The meeting announced the election of new Officers and Board Members, upcoming events, and the creation of related CEU courses for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC), set to be completed by May.
[ Be Original Americas ] is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across the Americas, through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and other efforts to promote this critical issue.
Be Original charter members – including Alessi, Artek, Bernhardt Design, Emeco, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller®, Ligne Roset, Poltrona Frau Group and Vitra – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. Through an aggressive program of lectures, workshops and round-tables, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages public and professionals, along with our media partners, to fully support creativity and authenticity, to invest in the future of design, to incentivize innovation, and to give back to the industry and the people it serves.
FC’s Most Innovative Companies March 2015 issue is now available [ online ] as well as in app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning 17 February. Photography by Federica Carlet.
above> knockoffi of fritz hansen’s series 7 chair designed by arne jacobsen seen in tokyo tower.[ see original ] [ see more not original ]
Join Be Original Americas for an exploration of ethical questions surrounding original design, plagiarism, intellectual property and the creative process of design. The panelist include Paolo Cravedi of Alessi; Bonnie Mackay of BMackay Consulting; Sandy Chilewich of Chilewich; Chad Phillips of Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and IP Attorney Emily Danchuk, founder of Copyright Collaborative. The moderator is Dan Rubinstein, former Editor of Surface Magazine and writer for Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal and T Magazine.
date: 18 august 2014 | 8 > 9am
venue: jacob javits center | room 1E04 | 655 west 34th st | nyc
NOTE: as a DesignApplause reader you can get a FREE TICKET by emailing Be Original
[ be original ] is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across North America through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and consistent efforts to promote this agenda in various design contexts. Be Original founding members – including Alessi, Artek, Bernhardt Design, Cassina/Poltrona Frau/Cappellini, Emeco, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller®, Ligne Roset and Vitra – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. Through an aggressive program of lectures, workshops and roundtables, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages consumers, the architecture and design community, producers, dealers and media partners to fully support creativity and authenticity to invest in the future of design, incentivize innovation and give back to the industry and the people it serves. @BeOriginalUSA
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