In just a few short days, Chicago’s Merchandise Mart and Fulton Market will be full to the brim with visitors exploring the latest in contract furnishings at NeoCon and Design Days 2024. The ever-growing celebration of commercial design is set to have another banner year, with highlights to include a larger-than-life projection onto the Mart’s iconic Art Deco façade by British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori. In the below preview, we’ve rounded up six exciting product launches that have earned a coveted spot on our jam-packed itinerary, from colourful (and durable) textiles to sumptuous soft seating. 

1

KUBI by HBF

With its minimal cubic form and honest material expression, KUBI, conceived by American design icon Barbara Barry for HBF, has all the makings of an instant classic. The modular lounge collection — comprised of single and double lounge chairs, ottomans, benches and a variety of occasional tables — is characterized by its handsome wood frame, which conveys a remarkable sense of sturdiness despite its visual lightness. Juxtaposed against the rounded upholstered backrest, the architectural frame stands out for its pure geometry. Though the design boasts the warmth and elegance expected of residential furnishings, the design is durable enough to stand up to contract settings. KUBI is available in an array of high-performance, hospitality-inspired HBF Textiles, including everything from bleach-cleanable fabrics to full-grain leathers, allowing it to be customized to all manner of interiors.

2

Vox Community by Nienkämper

Gone are the days of the cubicle. Today’s workspaces require the versatility to adapt to hybrid setups and hot-desking — and Nienkämper’s new Vox Community is helping to usher in this new era of flexible work. Organized around a raised central console, which can also double as a planter, privacy divider or additional storage, the dynamic desking system is available in three-, four- and six-person configurations. Each desk is height-adjustable, allowing it to be configured to each individual’s unique needs while still serving as a hub for collaboration.

Keeping inclusivity top of mind, the ADA-compliant desks can be fitted with a comfort curve to improve accessibility for wheelchair users of different sizes and styles. Integrated technology and cable management, as well as base cabinets with under-surface storage, help keep the workspace neat. Packing ample functionality into a highly efficient footprint, Vox Community is an ideal solution for spaces both large and small.

3

Aarea by Teknion

For this stylish and sustainable task chair, Teknion tapped frequent collaborator Pearson Lloyd for its expertise in circular design. Knit from retrieved ocean plastic to minimize virgin materials and waste, Aarea’s seamless back conforms to the body for optimal support throughout the workday. The cushioned seat, meanwhile, adds further comfort and a sense of warmth. With its soft curves, the conference chair (shown here with Teknion’s adjustable Cosi Laptop Table, also debuting at Design Days 2024) evokes a familiar sensibility, while its intuitive ergonomics make it a workhorse in any office environment.

4

Joy Collection by Designtex

Joy is not a typical quality associated with healthcare settings — but Designtex’s latest launch is on a mission to change that. Embodying the nascent trend of neuroaesthetics — which leverages design elements to impact individuals’ brains, emotions, and spatial experiences on a subconscious level — playing out across the Mart at NeoCon 2024, the textile collection is backed by rigorous research.

With eight woven and coated options to choose from, the Joy Collection employs vibrant colours and painterly patterns — from rectilinear mosaic-like arrangements to larger-scale organic motifs that recall abstract florals — to foster a restorative environment. More than just a dose of visual delight, the contract-rated textiles also meet rigorous performance and safety standards, making them the perfect addition to any healing regimen.

5

Arcade by Turf

Look up in most traditional office settings and you’ll likely see some version of a banal drop ceiling. But what if this often-overlooked design element could be an architectural feature in its own right, with acoustic performance to boot? Inspired by the barrel-vaulted ceilings of gothic architecture, Arcade, the latest release from acoustic solutions giant Turf, aims to achieve just that. The collection comprises five compression-moulded PET felt ceiling tiles in six neutral hues that can be mixed and matched to create a myriad of designs — from dramatic undulating surfaces to smooth arches.

The function of the tiles’ hollow forms is twofold, improving their sound-absorbing qualities for a noise reduction coefficient of 0.95. What’s more, the collection can be easily installed into a vast range of ceilings, and mounted with magnetic clips, grid clips, or torsion springs to tee grid infrastructure. It can also be combined with Turf’s Port and Urban lines to enable lighting integration, shining a light on Arcade’s expressive forms.

6

Ambi by Stylex

Sometimes, you just need a comfortable place to get things done. This banquette system by Stylex, designed in partnership with Gensler, fits the bill — whether for head-down solo work or collaborative sessions. Its name, derived from the word ambiance, is an apt descriptor for the sleek and sophisticated collection. Informed by Gensler’s extensive research, Ambi is designed to meet the privacy, collaboration, technology and accessibility needs of modern workspaces.

The multifunctional modular system is fully customizable or offered in pre-configured layouts including the workspace and media booth, geared towards private and focused work, and the lounge and media lounge, which cater to productive gatherings. All components can be outfitted with integrated power and biophilic elements. Though previewing at NeoCon 2024, the collection will officially launch in September 2024.