[neocon roundup]

A quick look at some of the top trends and new products at Neocon 2016!

Paint it Pastel

Following suite to Pantone's colors of the year, rose quartz and serenity, many manufacturers were showcasing muted pastels. Skyline Design teamed with Dutch designers Scholton and Baijings to create the new Glass Gradients collection, winning the best of Neocon Silver award.

Show off the Surface

The form and function of the corporate office is shifting away from monotonous, contrived and rigid - toward beautiful, authentic, and flexible. More and more we hear the term uncorporate office being used to describe this new vision of the workplace. Watson has been approaching furniture design this way from the beginning.  Some of the design-rich alternatives to conventional office finishes they are offering include exposed MDF natural edge, clear coat steel, felt, and craft surfaces.

(That's right!  I'm your Watson rep for Eastern WA, Northern ID, and Western MT!)

Incorporate Resimercial Style

Resimercial (the combination of residential and commercial) is an industry trend that brings the home to work. Resimercial designs combine the intricacies of residential design within a commercial setting. Some leaders in this trend include European inspired Davisand Area International; and new to the trend are Krug and H Contract.  Neocon introduced some excellent products that embody this trend.

Davis' Ginkgo and Sketch families have expanded even further this year to include mid back lounges, conference-style lounge pieces and arm chairs.

H Contract's latest collection, Canvas, features a modern design inspired by sleek architectural shapes along with the same attention to detail you’ve come to expect from H Contract.  Canvas is defined by the beveled profile of the solid hardwood on the arms and tables.

Krug introduced a new wood frame chair (yet to be named!) that will fit into both healthcare and corporate settings with the lines of a mid-century home piece.

Choose Your Work Modes

Just as students learn through multiple modes, people work in many modes throughout the day.  Offering options for a variety of settings can help employees be successful and stay engaged.  Offices are now incorporating work cafes, media lounges, privacy booths, and team landing tables - all while staying connected by keeping power close by! 

Krug has expanded multiple lines to accommodate these new work styles.  Zola Privacy can create private booths or work in cafes.  Combined with Artemis Media Hub, a work lounge is created.

Martin Brattrud's Assembli combines many work modes in one unique modular product.   Offering both visual and acoustical privacy as well as a comfortable hang-out space, it provides a seating system that fulfills the needs of people meeting and collaborating in groups as well as people working independently.

Watson's Bahn is a power, voice, and data delivery solution designed for organizations that value modularity and simplicity in open plan environments.

Mix and Match Materials

Prioritizing beautiful form and practical functionality; Techniq tables by Davis incorporate polished metal, Fenix soft laminate or veneer top, and a pressed felt wire trough and modesty panel.

Valet occasional tables by Davis offer a new innovative solution.  A study in geometric shapes, Valet is constructed from sleek metal bases and unique tray-like tops in veneer or melamine. Making an architectural statement, Valet tables are simple yet striking additions to any environment.

Peter Pepper's new desk, Nik structure is a powder-coat steel frame with a laminate wood grain top.  The natural finish stands out against the smooth steel.

Make a Statement

From more effective wayfinding to magnified brand identity, Takeform's Amplify takes your space to an entirely new order of magnitude. One that will create an unforgettable impression of who you are. Because Amplify helps you build a world where your brand lives and breathes – in a big way.

[social or anti-social] Privacy Seating

High back seating provides acoustic, visual, and territorial privacy!

With the continuing trend of open-plan offices and a focus on collaboration, more informal spaces have emerged to include lounge seating that allow for brainstorming, collaboration, and heads-down work.  Still, whether working or socializing, some degree of privacy creates a more comfortable atmosphere.

Davis

Side by Side

Side by Side brings a limitless list of opportunities in modular office seating. Characterized by the smooth curvature of the chair design, this modern age office series creates new worlds of possibilities. The sleek style is uniform for every piece of this series. Side by Side is not designed in the image of other office furniture; Side by Side creates its own image.

Radius Meeting

From a simple single seat unit to a sweeping curved unit, Radius Lounge Series offers an extensive modular seating collection to fit any contemporary lounge environment. Soft round upholstery elevated by tubular steel legs creates a classic design statement. An extension of the Radius Lounge series, this high back version offers intimate seating in open areas. This design is exceptional for hotel lobbies, corporate lounges, student lounges, or any environment where additional privacy is preferred.

Dauphin

Atelier

With its distinctive channel stitching, Atelier provides an elegant, functional solution to privacy needs in an open office environment. Available in two heights, the walls provide an acoustical value through the reduction of noise. Optional power and data enable you to stay connected and powered up. Atelier sofas and benches are offered in 48" and 72" widths.

 

HiLine

HiLine is an unpretentious lounge that brings functional design together with privacy to create a dynamic space for people to connect. This seating line is available as a Bench, Bench with Backrest, or Bench with Backrest and Privacy Wall. Whichever model fits your particular needs, rest assured it will deliver a pleasant and agreeable place to meet through an inner spring seat cushion that provides superior comfort not easily found in today's commercial seating products

Enwork

Pixley

Pixley’s organic curves soften and adapt, defining space without separation. Mix colors, fabrics, textures, and styles for a fresh, organic ambiance. Use Pixley benches with backs to define space and add privacy. Include the Stadium Shelf to create a highly functional, multi-tiered collaboration solution. Power and USB charging options are right at hand.

 

Krug

Zola Privacy

Zola Privacy takes public seating and collaborative workspaces to a new level of function and sophistication. It’s a modern solution for modern people. Zola Privacy creates space that artfully accommodates groups, teams and multiple users with exceptional comfort and style. With three back heights (34”, 38” and 50”) in both curved and rectilinear forms, Zola offers almost unlimited configuration for a multitude of applications: reception spaces, waiting areas, meeting space, library settings, and more.

 

Martin Brattrud

Reveal

Designed by Brian Graham for lounge areas, casual work, and collaborative work settings, the Reveal Collection offers unlimited flexibility in seating and table configurations. The collection includes lounge chairs, ottomans, and sofas with low, mid, and high backs, Freestanding tables are available in varying heights, top shapes, sizes, and with a centered and off-set post.

 

Custom Banquettes

Custom built-in or freestanding options can create privacy and be a huge impact in any space.

[health & care] Healthcare Furnishings

Healthcare facilities need a little extra care when specifying furnishings!

Hospitals and clinics have a very broad clientele, not only their immediate patients, but also their friends and families.  Many situations require family to hunker down and stay a while.  For the products I represent, Krug is the gold standard in healthcare.  However, not all projects are created equal.  Ask the question if any of these features are required in the space:

Seat Height - an increased seat height will be easier for most body types and ages to get in and out of.  Generally, a height of 17" - 19" is a good bet.  Lower than that, and some folks may have a harder time.  If you decide a lower seat height is appropriate, be sure to include arms that can be used to assist the person when getting in and out of the chair.

Clean Outs - This is a space at the back of the seat that allows dirt, debris and liquid to fall to the floor for easy clean up and maintenance.  Many are designed into the seat, keeping aesthetics in mind.  This feature does not have to detract from your design.

Removable Covers & Replacement Components - Some manufacturers offer replacement seat and back covers for a more thorough cleaning.  The manufacturer may also offer major components to be field replaced.  Hospital waiting areas can receive a lot of ware and this feature can be a very cost effective solution if damage occurs.

Finish Durability - The Krug Enduraguard finish, a proprietary catalyzed varnish formulation, has been repeatedly shown, through independent laboratory testing, to be the industry leader in durability and abrasion resistance. The Krug finish looks better longer than competitors, and is uniquely suited to the demands of healthcare environments.

Anti Microbial - Many Krug wood surfaces come with a uniquely-formulated anti-microbial finish that inhibits the growth of molds and mildews. Surfaces coated in this finish will have reduced fungal growth, and spores from germs, microbes and bacteria will not multiply on the wood.  Facilities managers love this.  With the new healthcare laws in place, facilities do not receive payment if their patients get sick while under the facility's care.  Every clean surface matters.