New Showroom for Milliken Contract in New York

The firm upgraded the plumbing and HVAC system in the entire building.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 3/11/2008

Floor covering manufacturer Milliken Contract recently unveiled a new showroom in New York. Showcasing sustainable interiors by interior design firm Studio Q, the new space at 875 Avenue of the Americas is expected to earn LEED 2.0 certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The floorplan is designed to seamlessly meet daily functions and serve as an attractive platform for products. Separate zones distinguish each of the Milliken floor covering brands: Milliken Contract, Milliken Residential, and Milliken Hospitality.

Since the space is situated on the 26th floor, interior walls both draw in natural light and offer sweeping views of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Times Square. At the entry, custom carpet printed with text and imagery serves as a "runway," lined with a transparent wall in lemon-yellow, the firm's signature color. Furnishings include original Florence Knoll pieces from the 50’s brought over from the former Milliken offices on 6th Avenue.

Sustainable features include low-energy ceramic metal halide lamps; daylight sensors; formaldehyde-free, 100 percent recovered and recycled wood fiber MDF; and low VOC paint applied throughout. Since Milliken is the leaseholder of the building, the firm was also able to upgrade the plumbing and HVAC system.

"We wanted the showroom to be the physical embodiment of our brand," says Kaye Gosline, creative director for Milliken’s floor covering division. "It’s innovative, yet respectful, with strong design that never gets in the way of doing the right thing for the planet and our customers."

This is not Milliken's first foray into LEED: The company's Chicago showroom, completed in 2007, has LEED-CI gold certification.

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