June 11, 2008—Seventy-nine awards were distributed in The Best of NeoCon 2008 competition of contract furnishings, a highlight event during NeoCon World’s Fair 2008, held annually in June at The Merchandise Mart, Chicago. Celebrating its 19th year, The Best of NeoCon’08 also issued four Innovative Awards.
Herman Miller’s Teneo won Best of Competition and gold in the Files and Storage Category. Teneo was designed by Birsel+Seck.
The Best of NeoCon jury consisted of corporate, government, and institutional facilities management executives, interior designers, and architects who are responsible for selecting and buying furniture and furnishings for their organizations or clients. Working in teams, jurors visited Merchandise Mart showrooms and market suites to judge each product in person. They were able to “kick the tires” and ask questions of the manufacturers and product designers.
All entries had to be new to the marketplace. Categories in the competition ranged from furniture to fabrics, architectural products to software, lighting to flooring, wallcoverings to carpet.
A total of 352 products were entered in 39 product and furnishing categories in the competition, sponsored by Contract magazine, Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc., The International Interior Design Association (IIDA), The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and McMorowReport.com.
The following are the Best of Competition winner and Gold Award winners in their respective categories.
The Best of Competition and Gold in Files and Storage Category
Herman Miller, for Teneco, designed by Birsel+Seck
GOLD AWARD WINNERS
Architectural Products
Skyline Design, for Collection in Whites/Suzanne Tick Glass
Carpet: Broadloom
Constantine Commercial, for Gradation
Carpet: Modular
The Mohawk Group, Lees, for Places and Spaces
Casegoods: Desks & Credenzas.
Nucraf, for Neos-
Files and Storage
Haworth, NC-B Resonate
Files and Storage
BEST OF COMPETITION
Herman Miller, for Teneo
Flooring: Raised
Performance Flooring Systems, for Tecnika
Furniture Systems
Steelcase, for c:scape
Furniture Systems: Enhancements;
Teknion, for District Enhancements
Healthcare Furniture
Nurture by Steelcase, for Sonata
Healthcare: Seating
Cabot Wrenn, for Open Arms
Healthcare: Textiles
Architex, for Rx 7000 Series Privacy Curtains
Lighting
Luxo, for Ninety
Office Accessories
Luxy, for U.F.O. (Under Foot Object)
Seating: Conference
HAG by izzy, for HAG by izzy Ergonomic Seating
Seating: Ergonomic
Davis Furniture, for FENIX Chair Series
Seating: Guest
Teknion, for Synapse
Seating: Sofas and Lounge
Bernhardt Design, for Loft
Seating: Stacking
Haworth, for Very
Software Technologies
Configura Inc. for CET Designer Version 2.0
Surfacing Materials
Lumicor, for R4 Mixed Bottles Recycled Glass
Tables: Conference
Steelcase Inc., for media:scape
Tables: Training
Bernhardt Design, for Traction
Technology Support
Eubiq Pte Ltd., forVSF1 Power and Data Track
Textiles, Panel
Knoll Textiles, for Bandwidth/Amplify
Textiles: Drapery Textiles
Knoll Textiles, for Escala
Textiles: Upholstery Fabrics
Knoll Textiles, for Knoll Luxe
Wall Treatments
IdeaPaint, for IdeaPaint
Work Surfaces: Height-Adjustable
Anthro Corp., for Carl’s Table
Workplace Technologies
Cambridge Sound Management, for c PRO Sound Masking
AMONG SILVER AWARD WINNERS
Seating: Ergonomic Desk/Task
Allsteel, for Acuity
Education Solutions
The HON Company, for SmartLink Classroom Furniture
Carpet: Broadloom
Bentley Prince Street, for Concrete
Software Technologies
20-20 Technologies, for Virtual Studio
Seating: Guest
Davis Furniture Industries, for LOOP Chair Series
THE BEST OF NEOCON’08 ISSUED THE FOLLOWING INNOVATION AWARDS:
Details, for The Walkstation, technology support
Bernhardt, for Cardan, conference seating
3Form/ for Arametre, panel textiles
Idea Paint, for Idea Paint, wall treatments
