“The international trade show, NeoCon, at $12.83 billion dollars is the beating heart of the influential commercial interiors industry and has helped shape the design of offices, schools, hospitals, healthcare facilities and more for over 50 years,” comments Byron Morton, NeoCon’s VP for Leasing.

NeoCon 2021 took place at the MART in Chicago early October 2021. Recognised as the definitive gathering place and educational hub for the internal commercial design industry, the show is a launchpad for the latest product innovations and services.

This year’s venue

The MART (formerly The Merchandise Mart), located in the centre of the sought-after River North submarket, is the largest privately held commercial building in the United States. Encompassing 4.2 million gross square feet, the MART spans two city blocks, rises twenty-five stories and is visited by an average of 30 000 people each business day and nearly 10 million people annually.

Future of work

This year’s theme, “future of work” featured prominently as showrooms and exhibitors rolled out boundary-breaking offerings ideal for the flexible new office, including:
• Avant-garde workplace privacy solutions like tents and pergolas.
• Flooring that incorporates biophilic patterns.
• Plug and play smart technology.
• Dynamic furniture systems.

In addition to Workplace, the show’s introductions and industry-leading talks addressed contract design across key sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, retail, residential, education, public space and government.

2021 INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS:

Mohawk Group’s new Data Tide carpet collection explores the symbiotic relationship between nature and data through the visualisation of water. Available in eight colourways, Data Tide’s modular carpet planks feature gradations that flow from light to dark in order to reflect transitioning waters. Mohawk Group’s design team used data sets from environmental studies of greenhouse gases to create biophilic patterns that weave a distinct, visual narrative about the immense role bodies of water play in our world. The thoughtful collection contributes to an aesthetically soothing workplace that connects workers to the peaceful, natural world.

NeoCon 7th Floor innovations launched at NeoCon 2021 include:

Armstrong Flooring’s Exchange, which was created to invigorate and inspire employees with soft pastels and rich, saturated tones that complement a visual texture that adds depth and interest. The collection includes two distinct, yet compatible designs. System Gradient features a subtle ombre effect across a 6” x 36” plank in a soft colour palette, mimicking the flow of light through space and creating a sense of clean comfort. Also available in a 6” x 36” plank, Static offers consistent saturation of colour in a variety of neutrals and bright pops of colour that can stand alone or be used as a collaborative accent.

The Framery 2Q Huddle which creates a multifunctional space to match the versatile needs of the hybrid work model. Recently redesigned to comfortably accommodate four to six people around a table, Framery 2Q is an optimised pod for brainstorm sessions or meeting locations within the workplace. The space offers a heightened sense of privacy and comfort for the end-user. Framery’s superior sound insulation system and designated display screen guarantees internal meetings and video conferences won’t disturb others.

Mute’s New Space Family of solutions which encompass four pod sizes that meet the needs of the flexible office. The ventilation systems in all pods constantly provide fresh air, the smaller capacity units exchange the air every 1.5 minutes or around 45 times an hour, while the larger pods exchange air from 24 times per hour to 35 times per hour. With a control panel inside each pod, users can even adjust the ventilation to their needs. Soundproof construction allows everyone to take calls and listen to music without disturbing others – a crucial function in the modern office.

Mockett’s antimicrobial coating. Drawer and door handles are some of the worst offenders when it comes to spreading germs. Sleek and safe, Mockett’s antimicrobial coating, available on its popular DP3 Tab Drawer Pulls, solves this problem. Killing 99.9% of germs, the coating also helps to preserve the life of hardware by cutting back on cleaning. The line comes in a wide range of custom sizes and finishes.

For more information visit www.neocon.com

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