NeoCon's 48th show was held at The Mart in Chicago, June 12-14, much to the delight of more than 500,000 design professionals from around the world, and to the dismay of Chicagoan's who half-jokingly kept asking show goers when they could expect normal traffic conditions again. The expansive commercial furniture show is spread across nearly one million square feet of The Mart, showcasing the big players of commercial furniture in permanent showrooms, as well as smaller manufacturers and newcomers with exciting innovations in personalized, temporary booths. From office to education to hospitality, the furniture and fixtures at NeoCon aim to make public and high-traffic spaces better for the people that occupy them. One thing is for sure: Human-centric design is here to stay.
Here are ARCHITECT's top picks:
Casper Cloaking Technology, Designtex
This 100 percent polyester film, specified for glass walls, can seemingly make your presentation...disappear. Using Designtex's proprietary technology, the architectural film redirects the rays of LED lights emitted from a digital screen so that it disrupts the image—making it look as if the screen is black from an exterior point of view. The technology could be used for information-sensitive meetings in open plan offices that don't wish to compromise on transparency. Casper is applied onto the inner side of a glass wall, and can be embellished through the application of a second, printed film (available in 15 patterns) on the outer side of the wall. designtex.com
BuzziPleat, Buzzispace
Designed by Austrian firm 13&9, this architectural element was created using traditional sewing methods of smocking and pleating. These disk-like decorative pieces are made of the company's BuzziFelt, offering sound dampening properties and can bespecified with an LED light source. BuzziPleat can be ceiling-suspended or wall-mounted and is available in two sizes of 39.37" and 59.05" in diameter. The felt comes in four colors: off-white, stone-gray, lime, and anthracite. buzzi.space
Entrada, Carnegie
Laser-cut to create a woven pattern, Entrada is sewn into its 3D form for use as drapery or acoustic paneling. The fabric is composed of 100 percent flame retardant Trevira CS polyester which closely resembles the aesthetics of wool felt. A single panel measures 47"-wide-by-118"-long, and can provide a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.45 when draped flat or an NRC of 0.65 when hung. Entrada comes in six colors including gray (shown), purple, and green. carnegiefabrics.com
Live OS, Herman Miller
Appearing to dip its toes into the world of IoT, Herman Miller has launched a new cloud-based application that connects to the company's new and existing furnishings—currently its sit-to-stand desk, and soon, its iconic Aeron Chair. Sensors that are embedded into the furniture monitor user movement and habits in order to compile information for automatic or manual adjustments—such as vibrating a surface to remind users to stand after sitting for too long. As the user sits, data is collected and sent to the cloud for later review to provide workplace performance insights for both the individual and the company. hermanmiller.com
Infinity, Humanscale
This LED tasklight, made up of 90 percent highly recyclable aluminum, offers flexibility through the company's patented constant torque hinges. Infinity produces an output of 1,500 lux and boasts a passive infrared sensor as well as a nightlight mode for energy efficiency. Additionally, the fixture is coated in color films instead of paint, which streamlines the manufacturing process and enhances the look of the finish. humanscale.com
Moraine, Milliken
Inspired by different types of maps, this collection of graphic, modular carpeting creates an abstract, geometric pattern when installed. Made up of 41 percent recycled material, Moraine comes in four patterns—explorer, relief, navigator, and regions—that are each offered in 18 standard colors which can be accentuated with eight contrasting hues. The carpet features the company's PVC-free, open-cell, cushioned backing which eliminates moisture by allowing water vapor to evaporate through a breathable surface. Offered in 19.6"-by-19.6" tiles or 39.3"-long-by-19.6"-wide planks. millikencarpet.com
