Metropolis Likes NeoCon Winners
The most exciting aspect of the NeoCon fair is that it brings together the best products available to American designers across different categories—furniture, textiles, surfaces, flooring, lighting, or technology. It makes it possible to see big ideas and trends that span different types of products and suggest new directions for how we all live and work. So for #MetropolisLikes, our biannual award program, our editors selected 33 such forward-thinking products from submissions across the breadth of the industry. Here are Metropolis’s selections of the most innovative, creative, and sustainable solutions for commercial and residential interiors.
-
Innovations Lacebark
The laser-etched pattern of this wallcovering simultaneously evokes the organic and the manmade. When cut at different depths, the surface of the textile reacts with the proprietary dye, producing different shades and hues that add to the wallcovering’s textural quality. innovationsusa.comInnovations Lacebark
The laser-etched pattern of this wallcovering simultaneously evokes the organic and the manmade. When cut at different depths, the surface of the textile reacts with the proprietary dye, producing different shades and hues that add to the wallcovering’s textural quality. innovationsusa.com -
Nienkamper Perplex Bench
Industrial design studio Fig40 brings material innovation to concrete benches with Perplex. This sturdy piece of furniture is constructed from metal components used exclusively in the automotive industry and Ductal, an ultra high performance concrete. nienkamper.comNienkamper Perplex Bench
Industrial design studio Fig40 brings material innovation to concrete benches with Perplex. This sturdy piece of furniture is constructed from metal components used exclusively in the automotive industry and Ductal, an ultra high performance concrete. nienkamper.com -
Patcraft Artefact Carpet
Patcraft continues to use natural processes as points of departure with this carpet tile collection, which offers subtly varied pattern inspired by oxidation. The collection uses a resist-dyeing technique to create variations in depth, tint, and saturation. Artefact is Cradle to Cradle certified. patcraft.comPatcraft Artefact Carpet
Patcraft continues to use natural processes as points of departure with this carpet tile collection, which offers subtly varied pattern inspired by oxidation. The collection uses a resist-dyeing technique to create variations in depth, tint, and saturation. Artefact is Cradle to Cradle certified. patcraft.com -
Haworth Maari
A new seating family from Haworth comprises 15 chairs and stools for all manner of work contexts. The variety is unified by a rounded seat shape that fits neatly in the current trend for softer, more residential styles that can morph seamlessly between desk and cafe, while still offering ergonomic benefits. haworth.comHaworth Maari
A new seating family from Haworth comprises 15 chairs and stools for all manner of work contexts. The variety is unified by a rounded seat shape that fits neatly in the current trend for softer, more residential styles that can morph seamlessly between desk and cafe, while still offering ergonomic benefits. haworth.com -
Pallas Textiles Atelier Collection
This collection successfully interprets fashion atelier textiles for contract settings, elevating their performance while employing novelty yarns and weaving techniques to mimic the textural, structural, and visual beauty of haute couture. pallastextiles.comPallas Textiles Atelier Collection
This collection successfully interprets fashion atelier textiles for contract settings, elevating their performance while employing novelty yarns and weaving techniques to mimic the textural, structural, and visual beauty of haute couture. pallastextiles.com -
Muuto Enfold Sideboard
Like much of Muuto’s designs, Thomas Bentzen’s sideboard is more refined than might be expected for factory-inspired furniture. The sideboards are composed of solid oak and lacquered steel. The sliding doors have been punched and bent to create a ribbed surface—softening the steel for a warm industrial aesthetic, equally welcome at work, hotel, or home. muuto.comMuuto Enfold Sideboard
Like much of Muuto’s designs, Thomas Bentzen’s sideboard is more refined than might be expected for factory-inspired furniture. The sideboards are composed of solid oak and lacquered steel. The sliding doors have been punched and bent to create a ribbed surface—softening the steel for a warm industrial aesthetic, equally welcome at work, hotel, or home. muuto.com -
Mohawk Group Pivot Point ERT
Mohawk continues to champion biophilic design with this collection of floor tiles, which offer a sustainable alternative to PVC. The collection offers four wood and four textile patterns in plank format, and four natural stone patterns as tiles. The Red List-free enhanced resilient tile is designed to meet Living Product Challenge Petal Certification. mohawkgroup.comMohawk Group Pivot Point ERT
Mohawk continues to champion biophilic design with this collection of floor tiles, which offer a sustainable alternative to PVC. The collection offers four wood and four textile patterns in plank format, and four natural stone patterns as tiles. The Red List-free enhanced resilient tile is designed to meet Living Product Challenge Petal Certification. mohawkgroup.com -
Mannington Moiré Collection
The artist Gabriel Dawe is known for site-specific installations that play with the optics of light in space using myriad colored threads. His collaboration with Mannington—his first commercial foray—produces similar effects in one style of broadloom and four styles of modular carpet. manningtoncommercial.comMannington Moiré Collection
The artist Gabriel Dawe is known for site-specific installations that play with the optics of light in space using myriad colored threads. His collaboration with Mannington—his first commercial foray—produces similar effects in one style of broadloom and four styles of modular carpet. manningtoncommercial.com -
Davis Furniture X2 Table
With a unique joint-and-member system, this solid wood table by Dante Bonuccelli uses as little material as possible while still making for a sturdy presence in workplace or hospitality settings. davisfurniture.comDavis Furniture X2 Table
With a unique joint-and-member system, this solid wood table by Dante Bonuccelli uses as little material as possible while still making for a sturdy presence in workplace or hospitality settings. davisfurniture.com -
Luum Tactility Collection
Suzanne Tick’s collection for Luum is inspired by classic textile techniques, including quilting, moiré effects, and spinning. The textural and dimensional surfaces are intended to enhance our sensory experiences in a workspace. luumtextiles.comLuum Tactility Collection
Suzanne Tick’s collection for Luum is inspired by classic textile techniques, including quilting, moiré effects, and spinning. The textural and dimensional surfaces are intended to enhance our sensory experiences in a workspace. luumtextiles.com -
Luceplan Farel
The dome of this lamp is made from sound-absorbing thermoformed material with an outer fabric cladding, so it provides acoustic comfort as well as illumination. The lamp can be personalized with different colors for the interior and exterior of the dome, with two customizable metal rings. The LED heat sink is also coordinated with the rings for a seamless appearance. luceplan.comLuceplan Farel
The dome of this lamp is made from sound-absorbing thermoformed material with an outer fabric cladding, so it provides acoustic comfort as well as illumination. The lamp can be personalized with different colors for the interior and exterior of the dome, with two customizable metal rings. The LED heat sink is also coordinated with the rings for a seamless appearance. luceplan.com -
KnollTextiles Intertwine Collection
This collection of five upholsteries take inspiration from one fashion textile from the 1960s that caught the eye of the KnollTextiles design team. Each piece reflects a textural or visual elements from that original inspiration, resulting in a varied but cohesive collection with multiple scales of pattern in a vibrant palette. knolltextiles.comKnollTextiles Intertwine Collection
This collection of five upholsteries take inspiration from one fashion textile from the 1960s that caught the eye of the KnollTextiles design team. Each piece reflects a textural or visual elements from that original inspiration, resulting in a varied but cohesive collection with multiple scales of pattern in a vibrant palette. knolltextiles.com -
Kimball Wilder Collection
With generous proportions and soft shapes, this collection designed by David Dahl brings a sense of calm and comfort to healthcare spaces while still standing up to the rigors of hospital or clinic environments. The collection includes lounge, guest, and bench seating. kimball.comKimball Wilder Collection
With generous proportions and soft shapes, this collection designed by David Dahl brings a sense of calm and comfort to healthcare spaces while still standing up to the rigors of hospital or clinic environments. The collection includes lounge, guest, and bench seating. kimball.com -
HBF Textiles Curious Crowd Collection
The first textiles collection by interior designer Ghislaine Viñas, Curious Crowd comprises six high-performance patterns inspired by jellyfish and sea slugs. The patterns are as vibrant as expected from this color-loving designer, and they also push boundaries: Two Sunbrella textiles are the first four-way stretch knit fabrics to be brought to market. hbftextiles.comHBF Textiles Curious Crowd Collection
The first textiles collection by interior designer Ghislaine Viñas, Curious Crowd comprises six high-performance patterns inspired by jellyfish and sea slugs. The patterns are as vibrant as expected from this color-loving designer, and they also push boundaries: Two Sunbrella textiles are the first four-way stretch knit fabrics to be brought to market. hbftextiles.com -
Herman Miller Cosm Chair
The holy grail of ergonomic design is intuitive furniture—or furniture that anticipates the user’s every move. Herman Miller is the latest to claim an effortless user experience with Cosm, a task chair designed by Studio 7.5 and engineered for fluid movement. The allover dipped-in-color adds to a seamless, of-the-moment athleisure aesthetic. hermanmiller.comHerman Miller Cosm Chair
The holy grail of ergonomic design is intuitive furniture—or furniture that anticipates the user’s every move. Herman Miller is the latest to claim an effortless user experience with Cosm, a task chair designed by Studio 7.5 and engineered for fluid movement. The allover dipped-in-color adds to a seamless, of-the-moment athleisure aesthetic. hermanmiller.com -
FilzFelt Ribsy
Made of 100% wool on a cork backing, these felt wall tiles use color and depth variations to enhance their appearance and performance. The 6-by-24-inch tiles are available in 50 color options and provide a noise reduction coefficient of 0.35. filzfelt.comFilzFelt Ribsy
Made of 100% wool on a cork backing, these felt wall tiles use color and depth variations to enhance their appearance and performance. The 6-by-24-inch tiles are available in 50 color options and provide a noise reduction coefficient of 0.35. filzfelt.com -
3Form Divy
This lightweight panel provides sonic as well as visual privacy thanks to Sola Felt—a felt-like material made of 40 percent pre-consumer recycled PET. The panel acts to both diffuse and absorb sound and can be used as both a hanging and partition element. 3-form.com3Form Divy
This lightweight panel provides sonic as well as visual privacy thanks to Sola Felt—a felt-like material made of 40 percent pre-consumer recycled PET. The panel acts to both diffuse and absorb sound and can be used as both a hanging and partition element. 3-form.com -
Arper Kiik
This collection of seating, tables, ottomans, and consoles was designed by Ichiro Iwasaki for hybrid or in-between spaces—waiting rooms, lobbies, university lounges, collaborative work zones, meeting areas, or multifunctional spaces. The modularity of the collection is emphasized by a variety of upholstery options. arper.comArper Kiik
This collection of seating, tables, ottomans, and consoles was designed by Ichiro Iwasaki for hybrid or in-between spaces—waiting rooms, lobbies, university lounges, collaborative work zones, meeting areas, or multifunctional spaces. The modularity of the collection is emphasized by a variety of upholstery options. arper.com -
Darran ThinkingQuietly Workbays
These privacy bays dampen office noise while offering privacy in an open work area, and advance the performance of sustainable materials — all with a warm, modern aesthetic. The felt-like sound-absorbing material is made from recycled plastic. darran.comDarran ThinkingQuietly Workbays
These privacy bays dampen office noise while offering privacy in an open work area, and advance the performance of sustainable materials — all with a warm, modern aesthetic. The felt-like sound-absorbing material is made from recycled plastic. darran.com -
Dickson Woven Flooring by Sunbrella
Woven from vinyl filament, these woven carpet tiles imitate textiles but perform at a much higher level. They are ideal for demanding, high-traffic zones in hospitality, residential, workplace, and retail spaces. This flooring solution won a Red Dot Best of the Best award in 2017. dickson-constant.comDickson Woven Flooring by Sunbrella
Woven from vinyl filament, these woven carpet tiles imitate textiles but perform at a much higher level. They are ideal for demanding, high-traffic zones in hospitality, residential, workplace, and retail spaces. This flooring solution won a Red Dot Best of the Best award in 2017. dickson-constant.com -
Scandinavian Spaces Bob by Bla Station
With seven different modules that have no front or back and are only 26 centimetres at their widest, Bob offers ultimate flexibility in creating lounge furniture. An online planner can help designers create the perfect solution for even the most challenging spaces. scandinavianspaces.comScandinavian Spaces Bob by Bla Station
With seven different modules that have no front or back and are only 26 centimetres at their widest, Bob offers ultimate flexibility in creating lounge furniture. An online planner can help designers create the perfect solution for even the most challenging spaces. scandinavianspaces.com -
Bentley The Drawing Room Collection
Bentley Mills’s latest collection meets a full range of sustainable certification standards, including Cradle to Cradle, NSF 140, CRI Green Label Plus, and Living Building Challenge compliance. Beyond setting the sustainability bar high, the customizable collection blends hospitality and workplace aesthetics for four lush, dynamic, high performance styles. bentleymills.comBentley The Drawing Room Collection
Bentley Mills’s latest collection meets a full range of sustainable certification standards, including Cradle to Cradle, NSF 140, CRI Green Label Plus, and Living Building Challenge compliance. Beyond setting the sustainability bar high, the customizable collection blends hospitality and workplace aesthetics for four lush, dynamic, high performance styles. bentleymills.com -
Allermuir Axyl
This sleekly engineered seating (chair and barstool) is the result of a collaboration with the designer Benjamin Hubert and his studio, Layer. The stackable seats, which take inspiration from A-frames and Modern Danish shell chair designs, use a recycled die-cast aluminum Y-frame with an injection molded shell. The materials are recycled and recyclable aluminum and recyclable reinforced polypropylene (an alternative shell uses wood fiber eco-plastic composite). allermuir.comAllermuir Axyl
This sleekly engineered seating (chair and barstool) is the result of a collaboration with the designer Benjamin Hubert and his studio, Layer. The stackable seats, which take inspiration from A-frames and Modern Danish shell chair designs, use a recycled die-cast aluminum Y-frame with an injection molded shell. The materials are recycled and recyclable aluminum and recyclable reinforced polypropylene (an alternative shell uses wood fiber eco-plastic composite). allermuir.com -
Tarkett Johnsonite Pentagonals
This Cradle-to-Cradle certified rubber flooring is based on an age-old mathematical problem—how to perfectly cover a flat surface by tiling pentagonal shapes. Only 15 such five-sided shapes exist and this flooring uses three of them. The entire collection is naturally slip resistant, and absorbs shocks and noises, making it a great sustainable solution for high-traffic environments. johnsonite.comTarkett Johnsonite Pentagonals
This Cradle-to-Cradle certified rubber flooring is based on an age-old mathematical problem—how to perfectly cover a flat surface by tiling pentagonal shapes. Only 15 such five-sided shapes exist and this flooring uses three of them. The entire collection is naturally slip resistant, and absorbs shocks and noises, making it a great sustainable solution for high-traffic environments. johnsonite.com -
Arc-Com Sunbrella Reverb
Using a new Sunbrella yarn that mimics wool without sacrificing indoor/outdoor performance for contract settings, Reverb presents a visual interpretation of music as four patterns. Each features a bright, bold palette that juxtaposes neutrals and accents for graphic impact. The collection is GREENGUARD Gold Certified. arc-com.comArc-Com Sunbrella Reverb
Using a new Sunbrella yarn that mimics wool without sacrificing indoor/outdoor performance for contract settings, Reverb presents a visual interpretation of music as four patterns. Each features a bright, bold palette that juxtaposes neutrals and accents for graphic impact. The collection is GREENGUARD Gold Certified. arc-com.com -
Koleksiyon Plan
This spin on lounge seating brings play and function to workplace and hospitality common areas, inviting sitters to participate in their own environments. As work increasingly moves into more casual and residential-inspired spaces, Plan—with its surfaces ready for curation or more incidental populating by tablets, laptops, and coffee cups—feels all the more current. koleksiyon.usKoleksiyon Plan
This spin on lounge seating brings play and function to workplace and hospitality common areas, inviting sitters to participate in their own environments. As work increasingly moves into more casual and residential-inspired spaces, Plan—with its surfaces ready for curation or more incidental populating by tablets, laptops, and coffee cups—feels all the more current. koleksiyon.us -
Wolf-Gordon Matter
Mae Engelgeer’s highly detailed, lush-hued upholstery collection brings surprising luxury to contract settings. Matter is comprised of three patterns that blend geometric and organic forms in high loft wool blend yarns with metallic filaments for visual variety. Engelgeer’s process relied heavily on the TextielLab, a resource center and fabrication workshop associated with the TextielMuseum in the Netherlands. wolfgordon.comWolf-Gordon Matter
Mae Engelgeer’s highly detailed, lush-hued upholstery collection brings surprising luxury to contract settings. Matter is comprised of three patterns that blend geometric and organic forms in high loft wool blend yarns with metallic filaments for visual variety. Engelgeer’s process relied heavily on the TextielLab, a resource center and fabrication workshop associated with the TextielMuseum in the Netherlands. wolfgordon.com -
Studio TK Cesto Seating & Tables
Designed by Khodi Feiz, Cesto is a family of basket-like pieces with a set of varying tops, which can configure to become an ottoman, a bench, a chair, or a small table. Cesto provides a compellingly playful and personable design for the ever-changing contemporary workplace, with its growing emphasis on social activities. studiotk.comStudio TK Cesto Seating & Tables
Designed by Khodi Feiz, Cesto is a family of basket-like pieces with a set of varying tops, which can configure to become an ottoman, a bench, a chair, or a small table. Cesto provides a compellingly playful and personable design for the ever-changing contemporary workplace, with its growing emphasis on social activities. studiotk.com -
Humanscale Smart Ocean Chair
Humanscale’s Smart Ocean chair brings together a community initiative and a recycling program to close the loop on manufacturing. Thanks to a collaboration with the startup Bureo, the chair is made of plastic recycled from discarded fishing nets, thus preventing harm to marine life and cleaning up the ocean. humanscale.comHumanscale Smart Ocean Chair
Humanscale’s Smart Ocean chair brings together a community initiative and a recycling program to close the loop on manufacturing. Thanks to a collaboration with the startup Bureo, the chair is made of plastic recycled from discarded fishing nets, thus preventing harm to marine life and cleaning up the ocean. humanscale.com -
Carnegie Xorel Vue Collection
This beautiful collection of lightweight textiles is striking for using crochet and embroidery while still adhering to performance standards that make it appropriate across contract settings, including health care and hospitality. Intended for architectural uses—such as screens, panels, and partitions—the proprietary Cradle to Cradle–certified Xorel textile allows light to penetrate while providing privacy and visual texture. carnegiefabrics.comCarnegie Xorel Vue Collection
This beautiful collection of lightweight textiles is striking for using crochet and embroidery while still adhering to performance standards that make it appropriate across contract settings, including health care and hospitality. Intended for architectural uses—such as screens, panels, and partitions—the proprietary Cradle to Cradle–certified Xorel textile allows light to penetrate while providing privacy and visual texture. carnegiefabrics.com -
Steelcase SILQ
Steelcase’s new task chair uses an innovative material process that emulates the qualities of carbon fiber for a fraction of the cost. Developed in house by a team led by James Ludwig, Steelcase’s vice president of design, SILQ responds to movement in a way more organic than machinelike—doing away with the need for complex controls. steelcase.comSteelcase SILQ
Steelcase’s new task chair uses an innovative material process that emulates the qualities of carbon fiber for a fraction of the cost. Developed in house by a team led by James Ludwig, Steelcase’s vice president of design, SILQ responds to movement in a way more organic than machinelike—doing away with the need for complex controls. steelcase.com -
SitOnIt Sili-Tex
This soft and smooth silicone upholstery textile is made without any PVCs, formaldehyde, solvents, plasticizers, phthalates or lead, and has no finish or coating. It is scratch- and stain-resistant, allowing easy cleaning of any spill or mark including permanent marker ink, ball point pen ink, blood, coffee, ketchup, and wine. sitonit.netSitOnIt Sili-Tex
This soft and smooth silicone upholstery textile is made without any PVCs, formaldehyde, solvents, plasticizers, phthalates or lead, and has no finish or coating. It is scratch- and stain-resistant, allowing easy cleaning of any spill or mark including permanent marker ink, ball point pen ink, blood, coffee, ketchup, and wine. sitonit.net -
Shaw Contract Haven
Shaw Contract’s latest carpet-tile collection harnesses texture and patterning and a supple tactility to conjure the spirit of home. The collection’s running line and custom offerings are designed to be deployed together in a variety of settings, from hospitality to workplace. shawcontract.comShaw Contract Haven
Shaw Contract’s latest carpet-tile collection harnesses texture and patterning and a supple tactility to conjure the spirit of home. The collection’s running line and custom offerings are designed to be deployed together in a variety of settings, from hospitality to workplace. shawcontract.com
