Top Innovations from NeoCon 2026 and Design Days
Pioneering Design: Unveiling Tomorrow's Commercial Interiors
Kettal Workplace: Reinventing the Eames Legacy for Modern Offices
Kettal Workplace presented a transformative office environment by reinterpreting the legendary Eames Pavilion System. This comprehensive modular solution, featuring integrated acoustics, lighting, and furniture, reflects Kettal's 60th anniversary and pays tribute to the enduring influence of Charles and Ray Eames. It offers a flexible and adaptable workspace designed for long-term evolution. Additionally, Kettal introduced new collaborations, including "Area" with Foster + Partners, the "U-Type" chair by Barber Osgerby, and the reissued "Shogun" armchair with Verner Panton.
HÅG x Recouture: A Fusion of Ergonomics and Norwegian Heritage
The collaboration between HÅG (part of Flokk) and Norwegian fashion studio Recouture resulted in unique editions of the HÅG Capisco chair. These ergonomic chairs were upholstered with traditional handwoven Norwegian åkle tapestry textiles, blending modern design with cultural heritage. Each chair is a bespoke piece, featuring meticulously restored åkle fabric and carefully selected metal finishes, celebrating both the chair's iconic form and Norway's rich textile artistry.
RBW: Illuminating Spaces with Novel Lighting Collections
RBW, a New York-based lighting design and manufacturing firm, made a significant impact at the Illuminate lighting show within NeoCon. They introduced three new collections: "Sequencer," "Triple Glazed," and "Ample." The "Sequencer" collection, a Best of NeoCon Award winner designed by MSDS Studio, offers modular geometric compositions that cast an ambient glow. "Triple Glazed" provides a compact, colorful presence, while "Ample" combines layered silicone and glass to create distinctive textures and soft, radiant light.
Stylex Softbrick: Expressive Seating for Dynamic Environments
Stylex's showcase at NeoCon 2026, curated with creative direction by Carole Baijings, was marked by its light and expressive offerings. The showroom was conceptually divided into various functional zones, such as a work lounge, social café, and huddle area. A standout was the "Softbrick" modular seating system, presented in a striking lilac hue. This dual-height soft seating, available in multiple powder-coat colors, offers exceptional comfort and versatility for diverse commercial spaces.
Darran Limousine: Enhanced Privacy in Open-Concept Offices
Darran's "Limousine" collection redefines soft seating for contemporary open-plan offices by providing both comfort and a focused environment. This new offering features an integrated lift mechanism that quickly transforms the seating into a high-back configuration, effectively reducing visual distractions and unwanted noise. By optimizing vertical space, "Limousine" offers increased privacy without compromising aesthetic appeal or spatial efficiency.
Juniper Ground Control: Advanced Power Solutions for Modern Interiors
Juniper, a Connecticut-based lighting technology brand, made a successful debut at NeoCon's inaugural Illuminate section. Their offerings included the "Multiverse System," a modular architectural lighting platform; the "Thin System," known for its minimalist profile yet powerful illumination; and "Ground Control," an innovative power-access solution. "Ground Control" is designed for seamless integration in both in-wall and plug-in applications, catering to hospitality and commercial settings.
CF Stinson: Unifying Brands with Distinctive Textile Collections
CF Stinson unveiled a new showroom at The MART, consolidating its three brands: Stinson, Arc-Com, and Anzea. Each brand launched a unique textile collection at NeoCon 2026. These collections, ranging from botanical patterns to geometric designs, showcase a blend of shared creative vision and individual brand identity. Featured collections included "Fine Line" by Stinson, "Flirtation" by Anzea, and "Perfectly Imperfect" by Arc-Com.
Davis Furniture Tiago Collection: Sculptural Seating for Contemporary Spaces
Davis Furniture presented several new collections, with the "Tiago" series by German design studio KASCHKASCH being a highlight. This sculptural wood seating collection includes stacking side chairs and barstools, meticulously crafted from precision-milled solid oak and molded plywood. The collection exemplifies chic design and sophisticated seating solutions, characteristic of Davis Furniture's offerings.
Marset Ringo: A Luminous Illusion of Melting Ice
At Marset's Illuminate booth, the "Ringo" ceiling light by Joan Gaspar captivated attendees with its striking appearance, resembling a block of melting ice. Despite its solid look, it is crafted from transparent polycarbonate, offering a lightweight yet commanding presence. Marset also showcased other notable luminaires, including Mathias Hahn's "Gambosa" and an expanded range of Jaume Ramírez's "Fragile" lamp, now available in chandelier and wall-sconce configurations.
Coalesse Co.Lab: Fostering Collaborative Design Dialogue
During Fulton Market Design Days, Coalesse hosted "Co.Lab," an interactive pop-up designed to stimulate discussions on the future of collaborative design. This installation brought together a curated selection of brand partners, including Moooi, Viccarbe, Tom Dixon, Flos, and Extremis, for engaging designer panels and networking opportunities. The pop-up, with its stylish wood façade and strategically placed cutouts, created an inviting atmosphere, offering glimpses of the innovative designs within.
Bentley Mills Land/Mark: Textiles Rooted in Nostalgia and Optimism
The Bentley Mills Chicago showroom was a hub of activity during NeoCon 2026, hosting a conversation between Design Milk founder Jaime Derringer and Todd van der Kruik, former Vice President of Design at Bentley Mills and founder of Neutral Haus. This event marked Design Milk's 20th anniversary and celebrated the launch of Bentley Mills' "Land/Mark" textile collection. Inspired by transitional spaces and the passage of time, the carpet names evoke sentiments of both memory and hope, such as "Where We Met" and "Old Haunts."
Maharam: Curated Textiles for Dynamic Design
Maharam, a New York-based textile brand, presented a diverse selection of colorful and patterned fabrics at Design Days in Fulton Market. Their display featured offerings from both Maharam and Knoll Textiles, including indoor-outdoor options and revived upholstery textiles. These collections were showcased on "Stick Frame," a modular system designed by Leon Ransmeier, providing a fresh perspective on the fabrics. Additionally, some textiles were artfully draped over sculptural objects by designer Robert Stadler, highlighting their aesthetic versatility.