I have just started a new commercial office project. I have done plenty of private office spaces but this is my first all out office and I am incredibly excited to be working with such creative clients. We have 3000 sf and the space is a typical long, narrow Chicago space...the challenge is that the natural light only comes from the short north wall! So lighting is crucial and since there will be a combination of open and closed spaces there will be many translucent materials being used to make sure light can flow from one space to the next.
So I am lucky that Neocon happened(Last Week) when it did! It can be a bit overwhelming visually and spatially so I was glad to have a focus. I saw many new materials and designs that will inspire me... I was also impressed by the way a lot of companies investigate and explore how the way we work is changing. The new office worker is more flexible and mobile and designers are reflecting and responding with creative solutions. There is also an ongoing ergonomic challenge when designing for office workers who are increasingly sedentary yet constantly mobile. A work force that is slowly replacing the typical office model with flex-work or work at home.
Izzy,
Jofco and
AllSteel all presented furniture to inspire creativity and productivity for Modern Man's "Meeter and Gatherer".
Coaless offer's a warm, rich, mid century influenced line of furniture suitable for the very best "work cave". Also notable was the
Davies Office refurbishing which showed some clever and whimsical examples of re-manufacturing. I have also include in my images below a photo I took of a healthcare exhibit of
IOA. I really loved how cheerful and happy the design was and so unlike any health care environment I had ever experienced.
I did see a lot of White everywhere... workstations, table and chair bases, lighting, flooring, etc... and I noticed a variety of different companies showing desks with mitered frame bases... I also saw a lot of aerodynamic forms with very futuristic overtones... and of course Mid Century modern is still going strong and in some ways evolving... I do regret not visiting the third floor during Neocon, but I will be venturing there within the next few weeks, especially to
Herman Miller to view their Canvas line.
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| Knoll's Antenna workspace and it's sexy curved privacy screen.... perfect to lean over and perfectly modern finishes! |
