by Brianna Crandall — June 18, 2014—At NeoCon, the contract industry trade show that took place in Chicago last week, Knoll presented its “r/evolution workplace” platform that illustrates the freedom and opportunity organizations have to reimagine the workplace and move it forward by exploring four distinct interior planning approaches to deal with the one constant in the 21st century workplace: change. Of the new and enhanced products that Knoll and KnollTextiles showcased at NeoCon, three were awarded Gold Awards and two Silver in the Best of NeoCon Competition .
The company’s showroom illustrated the four r/evolution planning approaches for high-performance workplaces—Perimeter, Core, Efficient and Adaptive—each of which addresses real estate, technology and peoples’ needs differently. All incorporated a range of the most popular Knoll products for open plan environments, private offices and “Activity Spaces:” “go to” spaces accessible to everyone for everything from focused, individual work to social gatherings of all sizes. The award winners are listed below, and a future FMLink article will cover other new and enhanced products.
Remix: Gold
Remix Work Chair was the Best of NeoCon Gold recipient in the Ergonomic Desk/Task Seating category. Remix is a new collection of chairs by Formway Design, the New Zealand-based studio behind the Generation by Knoll family of chairs known for translating key insights from human behavior into intuitive, user-centered, sustainable products.
The Remix family includes a work chair, a high-back chair, a side chair and an activity chair. The Remix work and high-back chairs combine Flex Net Matrix technology, a specially engineered, high-performance elastomer molded to provide resiliency and flexibility, with cushioning to provide movement and cradled support. The upholstered Remix side and activity chairs feature integrated flexors that also provide a flexible and supportive back.
The Remix family is designed to deliver unexpected performance in a familiar form. Through an intelligent layering of materials, Remix combines upholstered comfort with the active, flexible support needed for an advanced sitting experience. The Remix collection is designed to be BIFMA level 3 certified and GREENGUARD Gold Certified, and can contribute 4 LEED credits.
Antenna Telescope: Silver
Telescope by Antenna Design, the Best of NeoCon Silver recipient for Furniture: Benching, is a height-adjustable table system that combines the healthful ergonomics of adjustable-height work spaces with the planning efficiency of benching. Available in electric and pneumatic versions, Telescope offers users the freedom to independently adjust a worksurface from seated height to standing height.
Washington Collection for Knoll: Gold
The Washington Collection for Knoll, which includes the Washington Skin Chair and Washington Skeleton Chair, is the Best of NeoCon Gold recipient in the Seating: Guest category.
KnollTextiles’ Spirit Collection: Gold
From KnollTextiles, the Spirit Collection of upholstery, wall covering, privacy/drapery curtains and panel fabrics is the recipient of the Best of NeoCon Gold for Healthcare Fabrics and Textiles.
KnollTextiles’ Archival Collection: Silver
The 2014 Archival Collection, five upholstery fabrics inspired by the work of legendary Knoll designers Astride Sampe, Florence Knoll and Marianne Strengell, received the Best of NeoCon Silver award for Textiles: Upholstery.
Knoll is recognized internationally for workplace and residential design that inspires, evolves and endures. The company’s portfolio of furniture, textile, leather and accessories brands—including Knoll, KnollStudio, KnollTextiles, KnollExtra, Spinneybeck, FilzFelt, Edelman Leather, and HOLLY HUNT—reflects its commitment to modern design that meets the diverse requirements of high-performance offices and luxury interiors. A recipient of the National Design Award for Corporate and Institutional Achievement from the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Knoll is aligned with the U.S. Green Building Council and the Canada Green Building Council and can help organizations achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) workplace certification.
