By Peter S. Kimmel, AIA, IFMA Fellow
Publisher, FMLink
This year’s NeoCon show, held June 12-14 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, was much more than another contract furnishings show—it identified several new trends that will impact the office furnishings market for many years to come. What made it particularly interesting is that we did not see just an occasional example of something new here or there, but rather a nearly across-the-board statement made by the furniture companies, as if they had planned all this in concert.
The most significant development, because it affects the macro level of office planning, is the evolution of what had been known as the workstation, which has now matured into a true workspace, designed to fit the needs of the occupant and the entire office simultaneously. Other developments were a strong showing for training tables, which now are getting the attention that workstations used to get. Seating also is evolving again, just when people thought that nothing more could be done. And for good measure, several innovative products were shown, including a new use of LED technology for task lighting and new software to control noise in the workplace. Last but not least, although companies have been addressing sustainability for several years, this year, they are doing much more about it. Most of these products won awards at the Best of NeoCon competition. All in all, it was an excellent show.
The old workstation evolves into the new workspace
For a long time, there has been a conflict between the quest for office privacy versus the space efficiencies of open plan design. There are many reasons given for the need for privacy, ranging from acoustic ones, to visual distraction, to the want for the personal touch with more of the friendly feel of home. The major furniture manufacturers have come up with new ways to address these needs, and the results are startling. Who said you can’t have it all!
My Studio Environments and Vivo Interiors, from Herman Miller
A good place to start is the Best of Competition winner from Herman Miller—My Studio Environments, one of two new systems designed by Douglas Ball. 
This is a user-centered solution in open-plan workspace design, and can be used for privacy or collaboration and supports spaces with a reduced footprint. The basic concept here is to have a workstation with traditional height panels (say around five feet); but instead of having them on all four sides of the workstation, they are only on three; the fourth side—the one shared with the aisle or corridor—is a much higher panel, complete with a sliding door. Thus, the user has a much greater sense of privacy, and yet is more open to others in his or her workgroup, promoting more teamwork. In addition, the workspace is completely flexible, and can be equipped with any components needed by the worker. According to Ball, “My Studio was specifically designed to conform to a variety of work styles without the need for reconfiguration.” Because of the lack of enclosure on three sides, as an added benefit, when one sits inside the workspace, one has the feeling of being in a much larger workspace than really exists.
Also designed by Ball, Vivo Interiors 
is a frame-and-tile system that offers a clean, fresh esthetic. In Vivo, the design reveals crisp edges for a straight, well-defined appearance, while its trim pieces interlock for exceptional alignment and fit. The slidelong placement of the worksurface allows a wider range of view. The unusual orientation helps people feel more secure and increase awareness of teammates and environmental changes. Again, the emphasis is on making the worker feel as if the workspace is more personal and humane. Both of these new Herman Miller systems have been awarded GreenGuard certification. For a complete look at all the Herman Miller introductions at NeoCon, click here.
Patterns, from Haworth
This personal space concept was handled differently but the theme was reinforced by Haworth’s Patterns, which won a Best of NeoCon Silver Award (the Herman Miller product won the Gold). 
Patterns is a modular system available in a variety of heights and can be designed to fit into any dimension of space. So the system works well as open workstations, or can be configured as millwork can be to allow for privacy and a rich, personal appearance.
Patterns was designed to provide a sense of place and personal space in an open plan environment through overall mass and enclosure, bringing the spatial quality and expectations of a private office to the open plan. Patterns also provides a sense of permanence similar to that of millwork. What does all this mean? It means recognition of the worker as an individual, with a need to have some personal space, even going as far as to make the worker feel more at home. Nowhere was this reflected more than through the large-scale, full-height waterfall, made from Patterns—this definitely provides those in the open space with a sense of permanence, the feeling of being someplace special, and as a bonus it adds white noise to the open space. The workspace clearly is evolving beyond the cold, efficient-looking workstation that had become a most undesirable place to work.
To be sure that the product can work anywhere, Haworth conceived Patterns to fit into a wide range of office and building types and to help bridge the functional and visual gap between interior architecture and furniture. The product further allows tailoring of office interiors through a unique and friendly specification process that offers “by-the-inch” dimensioning on all Patterns products. Haworth is pursuing GreenGuard certification for this system. For more on Patterns, click here.
Steelcase
Steelcase’s showroom at NeoCon demonstrated non-traditional interpretations of 8×8 workspaces. Showcased were fourteen unique 8×8 workspaces, demonstrating that the ubiquitous workstation can support independent, pair, and group work in dynamic and inventive ways to support effectively diverse work styles.
Steelcase showed how these traditional settings can be reinvented to allow easy transitions between individual and teamwork, define space to create privacy without barriers to interaction, and provide workers more control over their space. Some of the work issues addressed were: how workers balance privacy; how to enable workers to relax and rejuvenate; how workers can increase their approachability; how workstations can support diverse work styles; how to separate workers without isolating them; how to provide workers the ability to spread work out; and how to provide workers privacy for intensive work.
Just as with the manufacturers, Steelcase focused on how workspaces could support individual needs while still maintaining the integrity of the office space as a whole. So once again, balancing privacy with diverse worker needs and the entire office is all a part of the new trend in workspace design. When all these ideas are incorporated, the end result is a more humane and productive work environment that works for both individuals and groups, and, if all goes well, occupies a smaller footprint as well. For more on these workspaces, click here.
Training tables and filing systems advance to the next level
Not to be outdone by the general office space advances, the companies making special purpose furniture showed their capabilities at NeoCon 2006. First, many more companies were showing training tables than ever before, identifying a trend that is not likely to disappear any time soon. And some companies were taking these tables to levels with the same degree of sophistication as furniture systems have had for years.
Meanwhile, as some of the largest systems manufacturers have developed ways to handle storage, some of the storage-oriented companies have been adding workspace functionality and aesthetics to their solutions. So if one has a storage-intensive work application, this can be ideal. And programmable automation has been added where needed to high density storage solutions.
Avea Tables, from Davis Furniture
Traditionally, training tables have always been either clunky and cumbersome to move (but sturdy), or easy to move (but very flimsy and very portable-looking). Now, through Davis Furniture, one can have his cake and eat it too. 
Instead of a folding table, designer Martin Ballendat created a table with removable legs. The result: a sophisticated mechanism that securely holds the leg onto the top and is released with a simple turn of the dial. No tools are required. The extruded aluminum legs also offer built-in wire management to the floor, which keeps the clean look intended for the table series. In addition, modular tables can be joined together with a connector that slides into slotted areas and brings tables together with a turn of the dial. In other words, one has all the flexibility of the easy-to-move tables but with the stability and aesthetics of high-quality furniture. For more on Avea Tables, click here.
Storwal, from Inscape
Inscape has introduced Storwal, which is a storage-based solution for open plans that blends fixed and movable components and delivers plug-and-play access to desk height without panels. 
Inscape, known for its storage solutions, now looks like a streamlined, mainstream work station—just one with a lot of very useful and flexible storage solutions. Using Nuform technology, it achieves the look of real wood without the cost, thereby making the office look more personal. Storwal won a Gold Award in the Best of NeoCon. For more on Storwal, click here.
Eclipse, from Spacesaver
Spacesaver’s Eclipse Powered System is a fully-automated, high-density storage solution. It seems as if every conceivable feature is now programmable, and users need buy only the features they want. Because the system is modular, they later can upgrade as their needs change.
The automated controls allow the system to be programmed to open automatically a heavily used aisle, close all aisles, open aisles evenly for ventilation or move carriages to predetermined positions in the event of a fire. The aisle access touchpad has only three buttons: stop, move left and move right. The Eclipse Powered System also offers lighting options, including energy-saving aisle lighting that illuminates only the occupied aisle and turns off lights automatically after a set period of inactivity. Eclipse won a Silver Award in the Best of NeoCon. For more on Eclipse, click here.
Seating that helps you move around and is great for your back
Most of the furniture companies now have lightweight side chairs that come with an option of casters on the four legs. This makes it much easier for these chairs to be shared and moved about the workplace.
Also, many of the seating manufacturers have found new ways to give one more lumbar support, including support that stays with you as you move on the chair. This usually happens through a seat back that moves as you do—how it happens is slightly different with each manufacturer, but it is happening on desk chairs and side chairs.
The chairs also look very good. They are designed by well known and respected designers; most are from Europe. The bottom line is chairs that look good and are very comfortable, and available at a wide range of price points.
Conventio, from izzy design
The HAG Conventio is a rare lightweight chair that is stackable and very comfortable; and even fun to look at. 
It also won a Best of NeoCon Gold Award. What makes the chair truly unique is its simple rocking mechanism, enabling people to sit through long conferences and at least not be in physical discomfort. It comes with several options of four legs, with or without trolley, or five-star base with height adjustable lift. It has GreenGuard certification and is 100 percent recyclable with minimum use of materials. For more on Conventio, click here.
Metrix, from Teknion
Teknion’s Metrix chair’s back is designed so that when the user is reclining, the upper back is supported by the backrest, alleviating shoulder stress. 
The backrest remains in contact with the user’s lumbar area throughout normal working posture, providing complete comfort. T-arms are height and width adjustable and pivot to encourage various working positions. Unique pivoting loop arms are also adjustable for height, width and depth. Loop arms fold behind the back of the chair when arms are not required. Metrix has even taken the guesswork out of chair operations—simple and intuitive adjustments, including a five-position tilt lock and back tension control, allow users to personalize their support. One doesn’t need a training session to figure it all out. For more on Metrix, click here.
Siento, from Steelcase
Steelcase’s Siento chair is ideal for use in executive offices, conference rooms, and other high-image workspaces.
The striking yet subdued design of Siento incorporates Live Back technology, which allows the chair back to change shape and encourage healthy spinal motion. For more on Siento, click here. Relate, from Allsteel
The primary breakthrough of Relate is its Body Adaptive Control system, which integrates the two important ergonomic features of the chair. 
The Body Adaptive Control is a combination of Relate’s optimally located pivoting back working with the chair’s synchro-tilt mechanism to better support the user’s body. The synchro tilt senses the user’s weight and tensions the control automatically, encouraging the body to “open up.” The pivoting back supports the spine in a variety of positions to then encourage movement. The difference with Relate is the placement of the pivot. By optimally locating the pivot point, the Relate chair back is able to remain in constant contact with the spine. Allowing more contact, it also supports the back, distributes pressure, and adjusts to each person moving from tasking to reclining, or anywhere in between. Thus back pressure is more evenly distributed, allowing for proper spine curvature. The environmentally responsible Relate is 88 percent recyclable. For more on Relate, click here.
Cinto, from Humanscale
Cinto’s backrest is attached to the chair’s frame via a flexible band or belt (cinto is Spanish for belt). 
This belt, explains Humanscale, allows the backrest to move with the body, offering ample recline and exceptional comfort for a chair in its class. Humanscale also points out the unique pattern of surface cutouts on the seat pan, which flex independently under the sitting bones to evenly distribute the sitter’s weight. In addition, Cinto’s split-top backrest automatically flexes as users move and turn laterally. Cinto is 100% recyclable. It is made of a steel tube frame, Santoprene belt and injection molded polypropylene seat and back, all of which are designed for quick and easy disassembly. For more on Cinto, click here.
Some innovative products (and still functional!)
Leaf personal light, by Herman Miller
One of my favorite pieces at the show is Herman Miller’s Leaf personal light—it not only looks like a museum piece, but it is one of the most functional personal lights I’ve ever seen. 
It was designed Yves Behar. Twenty LEDs create an interactive experience, allowing control of both the color and intensity of illumination. With the touch of a finger, Leaf emits a warm, ambient glow or a cool, blue effect. Its propriety heat dissipation system coupled with the energy efficiency of LED technology makes Leaf a smart choice for office environments. It uses 40 percent less energy than compact fluorescent lighting. It won a Best of NeoCon Gold Award. For more on Leaf, click here.
Access Rail, from Humanscale
The Access Rail system is one of those workstation enhancements that can perfect your workspace. 
It is a series of rails, posts, and specialized components that can be infinitely configured to fit any number of tables, desks, or workstations. It provides a unique and readily accessible place for mounting workplace tools, such as monitors, phones, task lights, printers/fax machines, paper management, etc., making tools easier to access while conserving desktop space. The Access Rail is considered an ideal design for use in Command and Control centers, 9-1-1, and other call centers, or wherever space use is a priority for workers. It comes in a variety of lengths and with mounting options to fit any work surface.
Access Rail’s double-sided design enables it to be mounted in the middle of a table to create a benching workspace set-up. Once installed, the Access Rail’s slats allow for tremendous flexibility in workstation set-up. It allows the user to mount virtually all worktop items to the rail using Humanscale’s own mounts or any slatwall mountable products available from other manufacturers. It won a Best of NeoCon Gold Award.
Remote Manager Software and Acoustic Network Version 2, from LogiSon
LogiSon walked away with both a Gold and a Silver Award for its two entries in the Best of NeoCon competition. 
The Gold winner, the Remote Manager Software, runs on a handheld device, allowing the user to wirelessly control the audio settings for a single speaker, a group of speakers or the entire LogiSon Network. Masking, paging, music, zone, and keypad settings can be changed in minutes by a single user, without accessing the ceiling or altering existing cabling, literally putting acoustic control at the user’s fingertips.
The LogiSon Acoustic Network is a networked sound masking, paging and music system used to increase speech privacy and provide noise control in the workplace. The new Network Control Panel is Ethernet-enabled, allowing the user to manage the audio settings for facilities of up to 8 million square feet in size from one location. For more on LogiSon’s new products, click here..
