• So Long, NeoCon Day One!

    NeoCon Day One has wrapped and now it's time to reflect on all that we saw before heading into Day Two.

    June 12, 2018
    3 min read

    interiors+sources NeoCon Coverage: New Products | Twitter | Breaking News

    Finding Your Happy Place

    For NeoCon’s 50th anniversary (and my 15th year attending), I partly expected to see either really high-tech trends or pieces of nostalgia harkening back to the trade shows early roots. While there are plenty of innovative products on the show floor this year and some throwbacks, what I found most surprising is how fresh and vibrant the show feels even after five decades.

    Having navigated the massive elevator lines (always a sure indicator of the health of the industry) early in the morning, a number of trends quickly began to emerge—not all of them new, but certainly updated and perfectly relevant for today’s climate. First, it’s evident that commercial furnishings have fully embraced the residential aesthetic and aren’t bashful about ensuring that the workplace feels anything other than comfortable.

    At Studio TK, for example, the showroom featured rattan panels around casual seating areas that felt so homey, I wanted to take off my shoes and kick back with some sweet tea. With nature-inspired graphics encouraging people to “nest,” it truly felt like contract design is no longer straddling a fence between residential; it’s been knocked down completely.

    After walking the Mart during Day 1, it was also clear that the industry is taking the wellness trend very seriously. From flooring companies that are offering alternatives to PVC to sit-to-stand conference tables from JSI (see below), it’s safe to say that wellness is the new sustainability. Expect to see a major shift continue toward healthier materials and transparency among manufacturers as they find ways to embrace both environmental and human health.

    In the same breath, it was also evident that literally bringing nature indoors via living walls is also a big trend at the show this year. From BuzziSpace’s new BuzziMood wall (see our Twitter Live video), which requires virtually no maintenance, to other similar plant-based products integrated seamlessly into walls or even furniture, it’s clear that green space isn’t just relegated to the outdoors anymore.

    Finally, the one thing everyone has been talking about above the clamor of the Mart is the need for greater acoustic comfort. Among the unintended consequences of the open office plan is the fact that people need greater privacy—not just visual, but acoustic as well. As a result, fabric-wrapped panels with acoustic backings have been prevalent around the Mart, as well as standalone spaces for privacy (see our related article online). To that end, standalone products like the Nook were scattered about the 7th floor of the Mart that invited users to take a break from the din of show and take a much-needed breather to either unplug or catch up on e-mail.

    What the first day of NeoCon 50 ultimately seemed to boil down to—at least to this industry veteran­—is that while we don’t have it all figured out yet, the industry continues to move in positive directions. While sustainability is now a given, health, privacy, and occupant comfort seem to be top of mind at NeoCon 50, and to find your happy place, one doesn’t have to look too far.

    interiors+sources NeoCon Coverage: New Products | Twitter | Breaking News

    About the Author

    Robert Nieminen

    Chief Content Director

    Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources

    Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.

    He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.

    Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.

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