More than 700 product manufacturers and distributors will descend upon Chicago for the 47th annual NeoCon—the largest commercial interiors trade fair in North America. Following are just a handful of products not to be missed at the show.
Products Briefs: NeoCon Preview
Muratto Organic Blocks
Rapidly renewable cork—which is also inherently antimicrobial and resilient—is produced as eye-catching sound-dampening acoustic wall tiles by Portugal-based Muratto. Distributed in the U.S. through Sustainable Materials, the molded dimensional units are offered in five styles (shown: Chock) and 10 vibrant through-body colors.
Altered
A carpet tile collection from Shaw Contract Group, Altered comes in two 18” x 36” and two 9” x 36” plank styles, each in 12 colorways, helping to vary the compositions for one-off results. The series is constructed with the company's Cradle-to-Cradle–certified Eco Solution Q nylon.
AER-DEC
Sloan's integrated sink combines—in a single basin—the manufacturer's Touch-Free Soap Dispenser, BASYS Sensor-Activated Faucet, and High-Speed Hand Dryer to eliminate water spillage on the floor. The patent-pending AirBasin, available in custom widths, is made of Corian and features dam openings that redirect the airflow from the dryers to eliminate backsplash and updraft.
Make
Skyline Design's newest glass series comprises four base designs—Hexagons, Letters, Threads, and Triangles—which can be customized using algorithms that adjust density, stroke, line weight, scale, and distortion, depending on which pattern option is selected. These can be etched onto one or both sides of the glass.
Exclave
Herman Miller developed Exclave as a suite of work tools that transform underutilized office spaces into more functional ones. It comprises a rail-based wall system for supporting white- and tack-boards and video equipment; a selection of table shapes with varying heights; mobile easels; and storage units.
Minerality Wood/Stone
Offered in tile and plank formats, Tarkett's Minerality Wood/Stone rubber flooring blends natural wood-grain and stone-texture looks to create a unique pattern. It is slip-resistant, shock-absorbing, and can be custom colored, making it well suited to health care and corporate settings. The product is also phthalate free, recyclable, and FloorScore certified for good indoor air quality.
Duration Home and Emerald
Flat-paint finishes are attractive and popular but often not easily cleanable. The Emerald and Duration Home lines from Sherwin-Williams are interior acrylic latex paints that satisfy both needs with a new washable flat finish.
Thread
After researching workplace and education trends, Steelcase concluded that employees and students rely more than ever on mobile devices yet don't always find conveniently located charging spots. To remedy this, the company's Thread system installs easily by running an ultrathin track under carpet to a low-profile connector that powers floor-standing hubs with outlets.
Sliding Door Hardware
Doug Mockett's sliding-door hardware is ideal for spaces that may not accommodate swing doors. The stainless-steel set includes all the essential components—mounting brackets, track, rollers, floor guide, and door handles—save the door. The track spans 78¾” in length, making it suitable for openings ranging from 30” to 44”, and can support doors weighing up to 150 pounds.
IN
Acoustic panel company Snowsound USA has launched IN, a ceiling series that allows architects and interior designers to create maximum visual and acoustical impact without changing most existing systems. The elegant, lightweight, and frameless units—available in nine fabric colors—are sized at 2' square or 2' x 4' to fit into standard drop-ceiling grids.
Tjep.Cubism
This new collection designed by Frank Tjepkema for Wolf-Gordon includes four wallcoverings, an upholstery fabric, and a drapery textile, all with intriguing geometric patterns that play on the cube. Metamorphosis sports a tiled pattern based on the shape that seemingly fades in places. The polyester-olefin covering comes in 10 colorways.
Divergent Collection
Showing at NeoCon but launching later this year, Mannington Commercial's Divergent vinyl flooring comes in 18” square tile or 18” x 36” plank formats, in a range of designs. Its UV-cured aluminum-oxide no-wax wear layer is low-maintenance and resists cuts and gouges, making it durable for such high-traffic zones as cafeterias, corridors, labs, and public spaces.
SoHo Collection
These new roller-shade textiles from MechoSystems are woven of a polyvinyl-PVC blend in a 2” x 2” basketweave, resulting in a soft hand, smooth texture, and optimal solar-shading and glare-control performance while maintaining visibility. All GreenGuard Gold–certified, the shade cloths are available in 12 sophisticated neutrals, in 1 (1100 series), 3 (1600), or 5 (1900) percent openness.
Airblade V
The sculptural Dyson Airblade V hand dryer isn't just a pretty face but a workhorse that dries in 12 seconds. The sensor-activated unit emits two directional sheets of 420mph air, scraping water off hands like an invisible squeegee, and utilizes a HEPA filter to remove bacteria from the air it distributes. Previously offered in sprayed nickel, it also comes in a white finish.
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