Office furniture largely lacked flair just a few years ago. Now, many designers, emboldened by pandemic-induced shifts in the ways people work, are pushing the limits of what works in a work environment.
That trend was evident at this year’s Best of NeoCon Awards, akin to the Oscars of commercial design. It was particularly clear in NeoCon’s Business Impact category, which focuses specifically on innovation among workplace-oriented designs.
A jury of business media members at NeoCon’s annual June convention in Chicago assessed Business Impact exhibitors based on the degree to which they enhance office operations and environments. Nominees in this year’s class were rewarded for embracing changes brought by hybrid work. Soundproofing pods earned top marks, for example, as did multi-use meeting tables and customizable desks. It paid to promise privacy, flexibility and efficiency. Holland-based Haworth was among this year’s winners — and while Grand Rapids-based Steelcase did not win a Business Impact award, it still left with some hardware, including two Best of NeoCon Silver awards and an Innovation award.
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“Manufacturers are finding ways to solve the market demand for collaborative, connective spaces, as well as furniture to improve hybrid, remote working,” Best of NeoCon Director Eileen McMorrow wrote in an announcement of the awards. “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.”
Below are the 10 commercial designs judges found most likely to change the way offices do business in 2024 and beyond.
Product: Edison Workbench
Manufacturer: Watson Furniture Group (Poulsbo, Wash.)
NeoCon category: Furniture systems
Company description: “The Edison Workbench maximizes office space with dual or single-sided setups that can be easily reconfigured when staffing density changes. Workstations can be customized with a range of accessories, and its adjustable height, convenient power access, and adaptability make it a prime choice for facility managers and business owners who desire extra flexibility.”
Product: Vox Community
Manufacturer: Nienkämper (Toronto)
NeoCon category: Collections for collaboration
Company description: “Vox Community is an electric height-adjustable desking system designed for today’s dynamic working style. Vox Community desks are perfect for small teams who rely on close interaction or remote workers who need a space to touch down and focus on the task at hand.”
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