It’s that time of year again, when the industry descends on Chicago for NeoCon. The annual launchpad for all things contract and office will run from June 11 to 13 at the landmark Merchandise Market, showcasing the greatest in furniture, lighting, textiles and more. Here, four product launches we’re excited to see.
1 Inch Reclaimed by Emeco
Contributing to the positive push away from plastics, Emeco teamed up with Jasper Morrison once again for a new version of his 1 Inch chair, so named for the dimension of its extruded aluminum frame. With 1 Inch Reclaimed, Morrison has used 90 per cent industrial waste (75 per cent polypropylene and 15 per cent wood fibre) to turn out a moulded one-piece stackable seat.
The sustainable material developed by Emeco combines waste from injection moulding plants with sawdust from the woodworking industry, with the resulting substance yielding a softer texture than raw polypropylene, without sacrificing strength. Perfectly uniform, the indoor-outdoor chair will be available in a range of warm, muted colours including Bordeaux, Ochre Red and Dark Grey.
Kiik by Arper
Similar to the wooden blocks that inspired Ichiro Iwasaki when designing Kiik, the system expands and contracts, changing configuration and scale as needs demand. Equal parts dynamic, adaptable and beautiful, the individual modules of this system for Arper are strong enough to stand on their own, but when linked together they create versatile landscapes for sitting and standing, relaxing and working.
A standing-height console is a nice element that ups its utility in spaces like lobbies, lounges and waiting rooms, offering a place for people to gather, while the low-slung benching and seats give off a casual, comfortable vibe.
Cosm by Herman Miller
Today’s fluid workspaces demand flexible furniture, and Cosm has promise of being one of the most adaptable of task chairs. After nearly two decades of researching the mechanics of how people sit while working, the team at Herman Miller has developed a unique auto-tilt technology that conforms to individual users’ body and posture without manual adjustments.
To put this tech into action, the brand called on Berlin-based Studio 7.5, a regular collaborator, who in turned delivered the streamlined yet sculptural Cosm. A dipped-in-colour treatment gives the mesh back and seat and the plastic frame an uninterrupted appearance.
Woodstock by Three H
Work environments are continually evolving. A decade ago, open-concept offices were cutting-edge; now, offices are rediscovering the value of privacy. As work has become increasingly remote, furniture has begun to blur the lines between home and office. These are things designer Mark Müller understands, and his Woodstock system for Three H is flexible, minimal and adaptable to a number of work environments.
The system is made from natural materials – solid wood legs and felted surfaces can be found throughout. Woodstock includes stacking areas, bench seats, writing pads and private screens, which can be configured for openness or privacy – even in open office environments. We appreciate the detail, here: note, for example, the solid-wood grommets that provide direct USB access, and the cavities meant to elegantly hide power/data cables.
