For those of you who don’t know there is an event that takes place every year in Chicago at the midway point of June. This event is the Oscars, Fashion week in Milan, and the World Cup of Furniture all rolled into one. During this, the largest most recognized gathering for commercial interior architects and designers, there are award shows for both established designers and students, galas, world class educational seminars, design debuts, and an open merchandise marketplace that host 700 exhibitors. Neocon showcases everything from commercial, contract, and residential furnishings for every industry including Workplace, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Education, Public Spaces, and Government.

This event is where the market trends are started, with all the activity and innovation that is present between not only the industry and business experts but consumers. There has been a steady increase of also the end market users present at the event annually to stay ahead of the latest innovation in design and related technologies. This industry has the largest need for innovation and away being ahead of the competition the workplace or as you may have guessed office furniture. By looking at the office furniture trends of Neocon 2015, trends in office structure and business models can also be apparent.

Collaboration and conversions in work space:

This is a trend that almost seems to be less of a trend and more of a work environment staple. In recent years office spaces have focused less on cubical like space that promotes segregation for their team members, and more on an open environment work space. Where the trend really becomes something new is with the introduction of nooks or privacy pod by Steelcase. This is a trend that evolved naturally out of need for a distraction free space created by the increase of collative space. This innovation workplace addition allows for there to be a balance between creation and collaboration when needed.

This collaborative conversion includes the boss! Both Haworth and Herman Miller incorporated smaller executive offices in their exhibit this year, this trend is fueled by better technologies that allow for executives to be work on the go and not needing to be tethered to a specific space to expand and maintain the business.  This exhibit also opens the door to a welcoming environment because it opens the door to collaboration by allowing this smaller executive office to also double as a conference room. It is important to note this considering both companies recognized by International Interior Design Association for innovation and excellence.

One Design Does Not Fit All

This is a trend that was popular in Europe but is becoming a staple in the fast paced ever flexible US market. This convertible workspace idea was first introduced in a sit to stand personal work station idea but had now expanded to the whole work station. Vitra released a multi-capable, collapsible work station perfect for a company that has a need for flexibility, like a startup company who is defined by change and growth.

The sit to stand workstation notion of keeping the team up and moving has also created a new trend transforming office meetings. Trend is adjustable meeting spaces that promote quick and easy collaboration as well as fast, direct and effective meetings. How? By having a standing meeting, companies like Herman Miller, American Seating and Coalesses ( a division of Steelcase), debuted high top conference table and bar stool like seating or adjustable conference room tables and complementary seating, allowing the consumers to play with what works for them.

Home Away From Home

The largest trend by far at this year’s Neocon was the blending of residential and contract furnishings. Workforces and business models have seen an increase in work from home options provided to employees with the convenience of technology not demanding in office production, this trend once successfully adapted can also have green benefits (but more on that in later blog instalments). The end user is the leader of this trend attempting to use residential furnishing only resulted in disappointment and dissatisfaction which lead companies like West Elm to respond with collaborative effort of its own. West Elm created a new line of residentially influenced contract quality furniture to exhibit this year.

This idea was also incorporated in DIRTT’s rustic, timber, and repurposed wood designs which were displayed via a virtual reality.  Lizzy+’s also used bright colors and bold patterns with fabrics that were more reminiscent of a freshly designed studio apartment then an office lounge at their exhibits. This idea of a warm inviting space for both employees and clients to enjoy while being productive is proven to have a demand.

Neocon is where trends are debuted, though the course of the year and through product demand we see which trends continue to strengthen workplace environment, in turn affecting business and projected growth, and which trends fail. Which trend would you like to see incorporated in your office? What studies with come out to support or destroy trends? Industries are always seeking growth and innovation, expansion and improvement successfully applying trends can keep a business current giving them an edge over their competition. It will be exciting to see how these trends fair in the workplace between now and the 2016 Neocon.