NeoCon 2001

Merchandise Mart, Chicago, June 12–14

Staff -- Interior Design, 5/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Design Link

Manufactured in Sweden by Skandiform and designed by Jonus Lindvall, Metropolis combines a silver lacquered frame with cold-molded polyurethane foam. Design Link, 25 Kingston Street, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02111. www.deslink.com.

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EMU

Segno, a stacking steel armchair, has been pre-treated for outdoor use. Offered in a variety of colors. EMU, 360 Fairfield Avenue, #300, Bridgeport, CT 06604. www.emuamericas.com or info@emuamericas.com.

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Dauphin

Designed by Roland Zünd, Visita's mesh back (100 percent polyester) and round tubular steel frame has a seat that is available in leather, Dauphin fabrics, or COM. Dauphin, 300 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005. www.dauphin.com.

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Kimball

Bingo, a wood side chair, is offered in three finishes—honey, amber, and ebony—on beech with polished chrome legs and arm supports. Kimball, 1600 Royal Street, Jasper, IN 47549. www.furniture.kimball.com.

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Epic

Designed by Martin Ballendat, the Astra chair is available in both an arm and armless version. It features a satin chrome frame and mesh fabric back. Epic, 6301 Northwest Fifth Way, #3600, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309. www.epicfurniture.com.

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Steelcase

The Breakthrough chair automatically adjusts the balanced action rocker motion to the person sitting in it. Also, check out the company's alliance with Coach leather—the Leap chair never looked so good. Steelcase, P.O. Box 1967, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. www.steelcase.com.

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Unidentified Rising Objects

At last year's NeoCon, editors had to sign away their lives in order to catch a glimpse of what Herman Miller was secretly developing for 2001. Designers Lisa Bottom and John Duvivier, of California-based Bottom Duvivier, had created the beginnings of a table-based solution for clients who require intensive use of technology, and Herman Miller was keeping it under tight wraps. As of publication, the system does not have an official name, but the company is ready to roll out the design to the public.

According to Bottom, the project began just under two years ago when she and Duvivier were asked what they thought might be needed in an adjustable-height table. "We determined that the product needed to change and adapt as the world of the worker and/or organization changes," she says. "We also found that the product must support the right people—specifically knowledge workers—and be cost effective. Of course, aesthetic considerations were also a priority." The product can be installed as a table, but can change and be added to over time. In its simplest form, the table adjusts from 22 in. to 42 in. high. Features such as overhead storage, wire management (both vertical and horizontal), lighting, and accessories can also be added as needed. The product can stand alone in an open plan, integrate with other system furniture products (such as cubicles), or be placed in a closed office setting. Herman Miller, 855 East Main Avenue, P.O. Box 302, Zeeland, MI 49464. www.hermanmiller.com.

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Changing Floor Convention

As will be evident at this year's NeoCon, contract manufacturers are finally paying attention to what designers want by asking them to produce new collections. Lees lead the floor covering market last year by working (and continuing to work) with Clodagh, but for 2001, the company is teaming up with four designers to create Collaborative Voices, the first offering in the Metafloor category, consisting of five products offered in 12-ft. broadloom. What's even more noteworthy about the collection is that the collaborating designers are also competitors—David Loyola, senior associate, Gensler, Santa Monica; Jamie Velez, director of interiors, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago; Shashi Caan, associate design director, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, New York; and Lucy Aiken-Johnson, NCIDQ associate, TVS Interiors, Atlanta.

With the shared desire to create a product that was not status quo, the group developed a product that "exhibits the integrity of nylon by exposing the backing," says Velez. The base is Lees's Unibond backing system, which includes a metallic-like accent yarn. In the past, radically different meant new patterns, colors, or textures. In the case of Metafloor, carpeting's raw components are seen in a new light. The flooring uses DuPont Antron Legacy nylon and a thermoplastic woven textile coupled with the company's DuraColor process, a stain-resistant dye technology that provides permanent stain, soil, and fade resistance. Lees, 3330 West Friendly Avenue, P.O. Box 26027, Greensboro, NC 27420.

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XO Again

Who knew that when we reported on DatesWeiser's XO collection last year, the system (designed by Gensler's Kenneth Baker, Jordan Goldstein, Ehrin Gaag, and Banning Rowles) would prove such a success? We did. And our humble belief was confirmed when company president Alan Weiser announced the addition of new products to the collection. Now XO includes a conference table with power and data integration, freestanding desks that conceal cable management, ganging tables, and credenzas—all designed by the same team. In addition, there are new finishes, including a palette of color pants and metallics.

"There's functional movement in all of the planes," says Alan Weiser. "With the conference table, planes slide open to expose the trough that runs beneath the table. It includes all the plug-ins. A section of the desk's top plane slides open and exposes wire management—the wire channels are fed through a leather pouch and into the panel bases. This year, it's all about simple design and functional details." And we hear that the company is already planning next year's embellishments. We'll be sure to keep our eyes out for the next hit. DatesWeiser, 45 West 21st Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10010.

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Prince Street

Monsters Under the Bed is part of a trio that was inspired by ethnic prints, tribal furniture, and nomadic rugs. Prince Street, 440 North Wells Street, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60611.

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Monterey

The woven carpet Taos features a grid pattern made from 100 percent DuPont Antron Legacy nylon. Monterey, 3201 South Susan Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704.

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Bentley

Brabourne, available in 12 colorways, has a smaller geometric pattern than its companion Moorefield. Bentley, 440 North Wells Street, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60611.

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Interface Flooring Systems

Chenille Warp is a bold, bright carpet tile that is available in a variety of colors. Interface Flooring Systems, 440 North Wells Street, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60611.

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Designtex

Do Si Do is a small-scale pattern of shaded dots in squares. Available in seven colors, the fabric meets 50,000 double rubs. Designtex, 200 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014.

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Knoll Textiles

A reversible upholstery fabric made of polyester and cotton, Hula Hoop combines open circles with rotating multi-colored dots. Seven colorways are available. Knoll Textiles, 105 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012.

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Cortina

Atlas, a lightly textured upholstery leather, measures (on average) 50 sq. ft. with a 1.1 mm thickness and a weight of 3 ounces per sq. ft. Offered in 20 colors. Cortina, 15 West 20th street, New York, NY 10011.

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Invision

Mesh, a small-scale rectangular texture, is offered in 144 colors. Invision, P.O. Box 1067, Dalton, GA 30722. www.invisioncarpet.com.

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Swerve

Functioning as a work surface, Parallel Play, designed by Michael Goldin, is made from steel, urethane, and enamel. Swerve, 2332 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. www.swerveco.com.

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HBF

The MV 9 series includes a management/executive, swivel-tilt, mid-back chair with a black urethane arm and five-prong satin nickel base. HBF, P.O. Box 8, Hickory, NC 28603.

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Tella

Two-tier occasional tables are offered with a variety of options in top shapes, sizes, materials, and finishes. Square, round, and rectangular shapes in wood and glass are used in tiers to produce all-wood, glass, or wood and glass combinations. Tella, 161 Stirling Avenue, LaSalle, Quebec, Canada H8R 3P3. www.tella.com.

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Prismatique

The Infinity articulating table features rounded corners, height adjustability, mobility, and a range of concealed power and data connections. Prismatique, 265 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 1J9. www.prismatique.com.

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Roos

Moment, a 50-in. non-woven wall covering, is inspired by organic forms in nature and does not contain PVCs, chlorine, or heavy metals. Roos International, 1020 Northwest 6th Street, Suite H, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. www.momentwallcovering.com.

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Phillip Jeffries

Handcrafted from 100 percent recycled paper, the company's newest wall coverings will appear in two collections: Crushed Vol. 2 and Back to Nature Vol. 3. Phillip Jeffries, 311 Route 46, Fairfield, NJ 07004. pjb@usamailbox.com.

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Rodolph

Fanciful, part of the Notables collection, combines cotton and viscose for a silk look. Offered in four colorways and a 58-in. width. Rodolph, P.O. Box 1249, Sonoma, CA 95476.

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Arc-Com

The latest upholstery introduction, Botany 101, is offered in 13 colorways. The pattern, loosely sketched after a botanical theme, floats over a layering of textured blocks. Arc-Com, 33 Ramland South, Orangeburg, NY 10962. www.arc-com.com.

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Cabot Wrenn

Devo, designed by Terrance Hunt, features a movable work surface in cherry or maple. Cabot Wrenn, P.O. Box 1767, Hickory, NC 28603. www.cabotwrenn.com.

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ICF

Designers Peter Hiort-Lorenzen and Johannes Foersom have added a laptop tablet to the Campus chair. ICF, Clarkstown Executive Park, 704 Executive Boulevard, Valley Cottage, NY 10989. www.icfgroup.com.

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Allseating

Fluid, by Miles Keller, is offered in six colors—three neutrals and three brights. The elastomeric mesh is stretched over a glass-filled nylon frame. Allseating, 175 Britannia Road, Unit 4, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Z 4B8. www.allseating.com.

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Allsteel

Marbles, a full line of mobile furniture and accessories, features rollerblade-style wheels, table-height adjustments, various storage options, and power and data choices. Allsteel, 2210 Second Avenue, Muscatine, IA 52761. www.allsteeloffice.com.

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J&J Commercial Carpet

Emotion's non-linear pattern is intended for corridors, yet the textural and organic appearance allows for an easy transition into open office spaces. J&J Commercial Carpet, P.O. Box 1287, 818 J&J Drive, Dalton, GA 30722. www.jjcommercial.com.

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Bigelow

One of three new designs for NeoCon, Fissures, constructed from Solutia LXI BCF nylon, is offered in 24 colors. Bigelow, 500 Townpark Lane, Kennesaw, GA 30144. www.bigelowcommercial.com.

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Constantine

Based on a checkered pattern, Commercial Blocks features a sisal-like texture. It is available in 13 colorways. Constantine, P.O. Box 2399, Dalton, GA 30722.

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Durkan

An Oriental garden motif, Bonsai II features cut-and-loop textures with Solutia's Ultron VIP BCF nylon in 17 colorways. Durkan, 500 Townpark Lane, #400, Kennesaw, GA 30144. www.durkancommercial.com.

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Milliken Carpe

The company has teamed up with Gensler to launch Oxygen, a modular carpet collection that features eight design groups and 15 patterns. Milliken Carpet, 201 Lukken Industrial Drive West, La Grange, GA 30240. www.millikencarpet.com.

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On the Go!

British designer Ross Lovegrove will unveil his latest creation for Bernhardt—the Go! chair. In designing this unusual magnesium seat, Lovegrove developed his three passions: form, material, and industrial process. Though he originally cast the chair in aluminum, Lovegrove was determined to find a lighter material. He found it in magnesium, the lightest of all structured metals that have been adopted by the automotive industry as well as cellular and powertool companies. Weighing a mere 15 pounds, Go! is strong and durable. In terms of form, Lovegrove explains: "This chair was designed to explore sinuous organic design, while also incorporating a technical language that speaks to our age." This segues into the design process. "It is very difficult to create a successful form without using data—scientific, engineering, and architectural. In order to create a truly biomorphic, natural form, I decided to begin with the only given I had to work with—the floor. Go! is my personal statement of the solidified form as it relates to space. It was not so much designed as expressed through the design process." Bernhardt, P.O. Box 740, 1839 Morganton Boulevard, Lenoir, NC 28645. www.bernhardtdesign.com.

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ABCs

Simple forms and bright colors characterize Alphabet, Loewenstein's new upholstered series designed by Roberto Romanello for NeoCon 2001. First introduced by Loewenstein's Italian sister company Segis at the 2001 Milan furniture fair, Alphabet includes compact, low profile pieces for contemporary settings. The collection features steel tube framing and cold-molded, contoured polyurethane foam. Die-cast aluminum feet are available in chrome or powder-coated finish. Each piece is crisply tailored with top stitch detailing.

The series comprises a wide variety of pieces, including a slim, low profile side chair, measuring just 19 in. wide, and with an oval height of 29 in. Also included in the collection are a variety of sofas, armchairs, stools, and ottomans. The sofa shown measures 581¼ in. wide, making it large enough to comfortably seat two guests. A mere 29 in. deep, it takes up only half the space of conventional sofas.

For lengthy lounging, the line includes several comfortable upholstered armchairs and ottomans, with a more residential feel. The ottoman pictured measures 32 in. wide by 29 in. deep by 17 in. high. Although the armchairs measure only 32 in. wide, and 39 in. high, their roomy seat decks provide spaciousness that seats guests comfortably. Loewenstein, 1801 North Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach FL 33069. www.loewensteininc.com.

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