by Brianna Crandall — June 24, 2015—At NeoCon 2015, the contract furnishings trade show that took place last week in Chicago, workplace and residential furniture and accessories manufacturer Knoll demonstrated a range of adaptable furniture solutions that support technology and its dynamic role in connecting people in and across workplaces, introducing several new products and taking home three Best of NeoCon awards.
Knoll’s “office network” concept brought to life in its NeoCon showroom is said to crystallize the relationship between the evolving role of social networks in the workplace and the technology networks and on-demand power and data access that enable them. The presentation built on the company’s r/evolution workplace platform, which illustrates the freedom and opportunity organizations have to reimagine places of work. Knoll explored four distinct interior planning approaches—Perimeter, Core, Efficient and Adaptive—which each address real estate, technology and individuals’ needs differently.
At the show, Knoll garnered a Gold Award for its Pixel tables in the Tables: Training and Work category, an Editors’ Choice Award for its Prism lounge furniture in the Lounge Furniture Collections, and another Gold Award for The Adjaye Collection in the Textiles: Upholstery category.
Gold: Pixel
Pixel by Marc Krusin is a comprehensive collection of flexible, architecturally inspired meeting tables designed “so people can think, learn and work with ease,” whether the need of the moment is for focused work, collaboration or casual connections.
Pixel features the intuitive Pixel Connect ganging system and a patent-pending flip mechanism that makes it simple for even a single user to attach, separate and nest tables for a virtually limitless range of meeting and training applications. Used individually or ganged together, Pixel configures to the requirements of classrooms, training spaces, team meeting areas, and open offices.
According to Knoll, every Pixel surface, connection and mechanism is engineered and tested for use in active environments. High-performance details, like integrated ganging brackets and optional molded edgebands, are designed to withstand day-to-day reconfiguration, storage and transportation. Pixel is also GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified.
Pixel combines clean, linear forms with high-performance components to deliver a simple, architectural design that is equally functional and attractive. With a range of laminates and wood veneers with coordinating edgebands, Pixel tables can go from minimalist modern to traditional, and five base styles and a variety of power and data management options combine to create a portfolio suited to any application.
Editors’ Choice: Prism
Prism is David Adjaye’s new addition to his critically acclaimed 2013 Washington Collection, and his first foray into lounge furniture for Knoll. The suite, which includes a club chair, an ottoman and a side table, explores twenty-first century sculptural forms designed to command a presence in any setting.
Prism complements Adjaye’s Washington Skeleton and Skin chairs and Corona Table. The collection also garnered a #MetropolisLikes Award from Metropolis Magazine.
Gold: The Adjaye Collection
The Adjaye Collection by David Adjaye for KnollTextiles is a highly anticipated collaboration between David Adjaye and KnollTextiles Creative Director Dorothy Cosonas. The signature debut collection displays Adjaye’s unique perspective on geometric and organic systems, which is translated through varied weave structures and print techniques.
The result is an “extraordinary” range of patterns and textures inspired by Adjaye’s roots in African geography, nature, and culture, as well as objects and textiles from the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. Each pattern is named after a city in Africa.
The collection features six upholsteries, two draperies, and one wallcovering. The collection also won a #HiPatNeoCon Award from Interior Design and a #MetropolisLikes Award from Metropolis Magazine. Coinciding with the launch of the collection is an exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt curated by David Adjaye called “Adjaye Selects.”
