The 34th annual Best of NeoCon Awards winners were unveiled Monday, June 10 during a design luminary-studded ceremony at THE MART in Chicago. This highly anticipated NeoCon tradition is an annual gathering that serves as a festive kick-off to the three-day show.
Widely regarded as the leading awards program for the commercial interior design industry, Best of NeoCon honors trailblazing solutions that exhibit unparalleled innovation and exceptional design. The jury of industry experts bestowed 126 awards upon products in 50 categories for Gold, Silver, Sustainability, Innovation, Business Impact, and the coveted Best of Competition. The 53-person jury included architects, designers, specifiers, enterprise clients, facility managers, and top business media who judged the products on-site at THE MART over the weekend.
This year, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering’s colorful collaboration with British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori received the coveted distinction of Best of Competition—marking the first time a product in the Wall Treatments and Textiles categories took home the top honors.
“Best of NeoCon 2024 shines a spotlight on industry innovation. Manufacturers are finding ways to solve the market demand for collaborative, connective spaces, as well as furniture to improve hybrid, remote working,” says Best of NeoCon Director Eileen McMorrow of The McMorrow Reports. “Products like case goods and furniture systems are becoming more scalable for flexibility and adaptability. Bold and happy colors are gaining in prevalence as workplaces become more relaxed and inviting to encourage employee recruitment and retention. An emphasis on designing for neurodiversity was also evident as manufacturers presented inspiring solutions for the workplace, education, and healthcare environments that promote well-being and productivity for all.”
The four companies garnering the most awards this year were Andreu World with nine, Haworth with seven, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering with seven, and Davis Furniture with seven.
The five Best of Competition finalists included nienkämper for Vox Community, Isomi for Layer, Haworth for Poltrona Frau Squash armchair, Tuuci for Meritage Collection, and Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering for Yinka Ilori x Momentum. Yinka Ilori x Momentum’s Best of NeoCon award-winning collection brings the vibrant, modern design language of Ilori's artistic vision to the commercial built environment. Its infusion of color, playfulness, and narrative elevates interior spaces beyond functionality, transforming them into immersive experiences that inspire, captivate, and build community.
“This collection is designed so exquisitely. One’s mood and outlook is instantly changed as soon as you see this product in use,” the jury noted. “Bright and colorful, it brings joy and happiness. It’s definitely a statement.”
“Having the opportunity to hear directly from the designer and manufacturer allows the jury to better understand the story behind these innovative products that are shaping the commercial market. It was truly an incredible experience,” comments first-time Best of NeoCon juror Sherry Banaei, Partner + Creative Director, Studio Alliance. “As we evaluated each of the Best of NeoCon entrants, several common themes emerged, including connectedness, whimsy, and versatility. The designs we observed this year aim to solve the challenges of today while addressing the aspirations of tomorrow.”
The Business Impact Awards returned this year and recognized innovation among business- and workplace-oriented NeoCon exhibitor solutions. Pre-vetted by a jury of facility end-users, real estate planners, and specifiers, 22 finalists were selected for additional on-site evaluation by a jury of business media including contributors from leading publications such as Fast Company, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg CityLab, Entrepreneur, Success, and Forbes as well as enterprise facility managers from Walgreens and NetJets.
The teams assessed the finalists based on the degree to which they enhance business operations and environments. The Business Impact Winners are Ally by OFS; Unity Table Collection by Mantra Inspired Furniture; Circon by Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering; Smart Pod Product Family by Framery; Silen Space 1.5 by Silen OÜ; Folding Surfaces Table by HOWE; Vox Community by nienkämper; Edison Workbench by Watson Furniture Group; Ambi by Stylex; and 4SPACE Fronts by Haworth.
