Introducing the #MetropolisLikes Award at NeoCon

NeoCon 2012 saw Metropolis editors scouring the halls of the Merchandise Mart for the best designs they could find. They sought out design solutions that our editor in chief, Susan S. Szenasy, describes as “unexpected and urgent—ideas that strike us as beautiful, useful and brilliant.”

Each concept that “Metropolis Likes” was awarded plaques, produced by 3M Architectural Markets using 3M Crystal Glass Finishes. The plaques served as a visual guide to NeoCon—helping attendees quickly spot must-see spaces, products and ideas.

The partnership between Metropolis and 3M Architectural Markets started as a way to celebrate the most forward-thinking ideas at New York Design Week, and to generate a central online conversation for the global design community around the creative breakthroughs debuting in New York. It was such a success that the team decided to continue it at NeoCon in Chicago, where it gained even more momentum.

Design enthusiasts around the world followed as each selection was announced live with photos via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. The chatter online about the award was so great that #MetropolisLikes was one of NeoCon’s “most buzzed topics” from MMPI and Designer Pages.

Congratulations to all that Metropolis Likes from NeoCon 2012!

3Form: Stone
The Stone material collection adds contemporary translucency to the natural beauty of stone.

Abet Laminati
Abet Laminati’s collection of high pressure laminate surfaces explores a wide array of textures and innovative techniques.

Allsteel: Clarity Seating Series
Allsteel teamed-up with BMW to design the Clarity Seating Series—focusing on form and function in the purest, most simplified sense.

American Seating: Us Chairs
The Us family of chairs is specifically designed to meet the dynamic needs of colleges and universities. Its back flex design allows you to sit comfortably for longer.

Andreu World American: OLIVIA
OLIVIA, like every product made with solid wood at Andreu World is FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. Olivia is designed by Lievore Altherr Molina.

Antron: Booth Design by Keith Curtis
Keith Curtis designed the space at NeoCon using string installations, motion-sensors, and string instruments, to convey that Antron is “the uncommon thread in the industry”

Arcadia: Ovate Collection
The Ovate Collection of lounge, modular, and bench seating was designed by Christopher Panichella.

Architex: Man vs. Nature
The Man vs. Nature collection, as with all of Architex’s other designs, are intended to transform any kind of interior.

Bretford: EDU 2.0
Bretford’s new EDU 2.0 line includes seating, tables, desks and storage. It is mobile, fully powered, and ConnectEd™ for 21st Century learning.

BuzziSpace: BuzziSwitch
Buzzi Switch collection, by Sas Adriaenssens, features acoustic felt made from PET-bottles and recycled wood waste.

Centiva: Avignon Oak and Royal Oak Flooring
Avignon Oak and Royal Oak are two plank designs that Centiva created to mimic the beauty of natural wood.

CF Stinson: Voyages Collection
The Voyages Collection by Michael Graves is inspired by his travels, and is durable enough for use in healthcare environments—bringing the romance and excitement of travel to hospital spaces.

Coalesse: Hosu Chair
The Hosu Chair, Designed by Patricia Urquiola, allows for more room while you work, so you can spread out and relax for longer sessions

Configura: CET Designer
CET Designer is a software solution that supports and simplifies the entire sales, design, and ordering process.

Dauphin: konstrux
The konstrux desk system considers various space and work styles.

Designtex: Color Stories Through Found Objects study
Designtex team’s in-depth creative process, visualized through their Color Stories Through Found Objects study, explores personal connections to color and pattern.

Global Total Office: Arti Chair
The Arti Chair forms to your back and mimics the human body with a spine like structure.

Haworth: Lively Seating Family
The Lively seating family increases productivity, and considers every aspect you’d ever want to customize.

Hon: Flock
Flock, the first mid-market design from Hon, encourages collaboration and is flexible enough to work well in spaces where people move around a lot, such as lobbies and cafes.

Humanscale: Element Disc™ LED Task Light
Humanscale, a leader in ergonomic products, continues to expand its range of high-performance LED task lights with the release of its Element Disc.

InterfaceFLOR: Walk the Plank
Walk the Plank, a new shape for the floor in 25cm x 1m lengths, mimics wood floors and creates a sophisticated texture.

InteriorArts: InteriorArts Laminates
InteriorArts is great design that’s scratch-resistant and intelligently priced for today’s marketplace.

IzzyPlus: Best Branded Environment
IzzyPlus’ space at NeoCon captured their brand personality and values seamlessly, considering every single touch point—creating a truly enjoyable environment to experience their brand in.

Janus et Cie: GREEN Side Chair
The GREEN Side Chair has a shell that is made of 100% recycled material, with a unique shape that is reminiscent of origami.

JSI: Swish Collection
The Swish Collection is designed to accommodate a wide range of work styles within one area.

Jofco: Ziva Lounge
Ziva is a comprehensive collection of configurable and freestanding seating with corresponding tables—all available in vibrant, fresh colors and patterns.

KI Furniture: Lightline
Lightline is a pre-engineered, modular glass wall system dedicated to the enhancement of light.

Knoll: Jonathan Olivares Aluminum Chair
The aluminum indoor/outdoor stacking café chair by Jonathan Olivares offers a restrained sculptural presence, suitable for a variety of environments.

LoftWall: Glide, Wave & Deskdivider
Loftwall’s smart collection of space dividers brings beauty and order to work, play, and living spaces.

Momentum Group: Best Bags
Momentum Group went a step up from the standard tote, with a line of very coveted bags to hand out to attendees and show off their textiles.

National Office Furniture: Jiminy Chair
The nifty little Jiminy chair from National Office hops into action whenever needed, then smartly flips and nests for convenient, compact storage.

OFS Brands: Eleven Executive Table
Eleven Executive Table, designed by Daniel Korb, features built-in speakers and is based on his belief that “Furniture is architecture on a different scale.”

Skyline Design
Skyline Design debuted a strong line–up of new collections, all presenting smart solutions with the smallest carbon footprint possible.

Sparkeology: Sylvie Chair
With simple geometric forms and optional power outlets, the Sylvie Chair is fun and contemporary—the piece to liven up any room.

Seeyond
Seeyond’s brilliant design-build system uses a thermoplastic resin with endless possibilities.

Shaw Contract: DyeLab
Shaw Contract’s Modular Carpet collection is inspired by dip dye techniques as seen in their Dye Lab collection.

Stylex: Brooks Chair
The Brooks Chair, named for it’s designer Paul Brooks, is as multipurpose and refined as possible.

TakeForm: Vivid Signage Line
Vivid Signage is easy to update and incorporates image based communication

TOTO: EcoPower Faucet
The EcoPower Faucet is engineered such that it needs no electricity supply or routine disposable battery replacement.

Universal Fibers: Revolve
Revolve, a new product from Universal Fibers, delivers solution-dyed performance with long space-dyed styling capability.

Versteel: Paces

The Paces table is based on the natural form and balance of the human body—a simple yet unexpected reinvention of classic table legs.

VS America: Hokki Stool
John Hattin designed the Hokki Stool for people who can’t sit still—he gets the look and response to movement just right.