The Future of Design Takes Shape

Director, Jane Roulston attended this year's NeoCon and Design Days, immersing herself in innovation and exceptional design solutions. Here’s a snippet of some key highlights.  

NeoCon and Design Days are premier events that bring together industry leaders and emerging companies to showcase thousands of new products and services in various categories, including furniture, fabrics, flooring, and technology based in Chicago. Design professionals from diverse markets such as workplace, healthcare, hospitality, retail, education, public space, and government converge at the event to network, learn, and conduct business. The exhibitions are accompanied by a range of educational and inspirational programming that offers expert insights and knowledge on the most relevant industry topics.  

This year the 34th annual Best of NeoCon Awards recognized innovative and exceptional design solutions at the NeoCon event held at THE MART. Widely regarded as the leading awards program for the commercial interior design industry, the ceremony honored trailblazing products that showcased unparalleled innovation and outstanding design, setting a new standard for excellence in the field.

PERCY CHAIR BY NAUGHTONE   
NeoCon 2024 Silver Award (Furniture, Seating: Sofas & Lounge)

Percy is a unique lounge chair that combines comfort and style, inspired by mid-century design. With its chubby tubular frame and puffy cushions, it provides oversized surfaces for creativity and imagination, allowing you to choose from a limitless range of finishes to match your project’s aesthetic. Whether you opt for bold colors for impact or neutral tones to blend in, Percy’s curvaceous and compact design ensures a supportive and comfortable sit, inviting you to take a moment to relax and unwind.

SETU CHAIR BY HERMAN MILLER
Setu has been an instrumental part of Herman Miller’s performance seating portfolio since its introduction in 2009. The designers, Studio 7.5 drew inspiration through observing the ways technology has changed how we work, where we work and how we move throughout the day and engage in collaborative settings. As we’re expected to work anywhere and everywhere, Setu was designed to support and respond to our body’s natural movements without any user adjustments.

The Setu chair has undergone a refresh with several enhancements, including a new bumper edge that improves its aesthetic while protecting the suspension from damage. The color, material, and finish options have also been updated to align with Herman Miller’s global palette, featuring new suspension finishes such as mineral, carbon, graphite, canyon, glacier, and nightfall, as well as a new warm-toned option, cocoa. Additionally, the frame finishes have been expanded to include mineral and carbon.Dipped-in-color frame finishes – canyon, nightfall, glacier.

MIRRA 2 CHAIR BY HERMAN MILLER
Studio 7.5 and Herman Miller have made some exciting updates to their ergonomic chair, reducing its carbon footprint, overall lightness and incorporating new sustainable materials. We can look forward to seeing this new and improved product in the market soon!

BAY WORK POD BY HERMAN MILLER
The Bay Work Pod from Herman Miller is a thoughtful solution for those who crave a change of pace from the traditional open office environment. Designed for focused solo work or video calls, this pod provides a cozy retreat with ergonomic seating, well-lit surroundings, and excellent acoustics, ensuring a distraction-free and productive experience. Expect it to hit the market in late 2024.

LINEAR STEEL COLLECTION BY MUUTO
The Linear Steel Collection from Muuto brings together a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic through the details of its folded edges, half-circular intersecting legs and small spacing for easy outflow of water. Crafted from weather-resistant, galvanised and powder-coated steel with a matte finish, this collection offers a durable and low-maintenance option for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

CONNECT MODULAR SOFA BY MUUTO

“The Connect Soft Modular Sofa is a seating system, rooted in the idea of uncovering the perfect proportional connections between the different components within a sofa.”
— Anderssen & Voll

The Connect Modular Sofa by Muuto is a highly customisable and versatile seating solution that can be tailored to fit any space. With 13 different modules to choose from, you can create a configuration that suits your exact needs, whether it’s a cozy nook or a spacious setting. Its sleek and elegant design, characterised by geometric proportions and thoughtful details, adds a touch of sophistication to any room while harmonising with its surroundings.

MORRISON HANNAH CHAIR BY KNOLL
The Morrison Hannah Chair by Knoll is a classic design that exudes comfort and style. First introduced in 1973, this iconic chair has been updated with a fresh palette of colors and materials to give it a modern twist. Its flexibility and ergonomic design make it perfect for any setting, providing instant comfort and relaxation. Coming soon.

COVE COLLECTION BY KNOLL
The Cove Collection by Knoll, designed by Dan Grabowski, provides a sense of refined simplicity and sophistication. With a focus on precision-crafted design, the collection features light, airy elements that bring warmth and quality to private offices. The use of premium wood veneers adds a touch of natural elegance, making the Cove Collection a perfect representation of Knoll’s commitment to excellence.

MORSE TABLE SYSTEM BY NAUGHTONE
The Morse Table System from NaughtOne share a common theme of versatility and adaptability. Both products offer customization options to fit specific spaces and needs, with the Connect Sofa’s 13 modules and the Morse Table System’s flexible surfaces and accessories. These designs prioritize functionality and usability, making them perfect for modern homes or offices that require a high level of flexibility.

UPCOMING EVENT  |  DESIGN WITH IMPACT

Amid ongoing discussions about the evolving real estate landscape, it’s essential to explore how this transformation is reshaping workplaces and influencing corporate real estate decisions.

Unison Workspaces and CoreNet Global NZ invite you to an insightful discussion on how we can ‘Design with Impact’.

We have an exciting panel of industry experts who will explore three critical areas: Wellbeing, Connection, and Change, offering insights into emerging trends and practical lessons learned that are shaping the future of work.

Lauren Joyce, Head of Auckland Portfolio, Precinct Properties
Matt Hockey, Director Office Service, CBRE
Wendy Jones, Programme Director, Auckland Council Sarah Bryant, Principal Workplace Strategist/Senior Interior Designer, Wingates
Jane Roulston, Director at Unison Workspaces, will serve as your MC for the event.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to redefine our workplaces for generations to come and prepare for inevitable changes.

Join us at Unison’s showrooms in Parnell as we explore the current landscape in New Zealand and beyond.

Date and Time  |  Wednesday 17th July, 2024, 5:15pm

RSVP  |  Sunday 14th July, 2024, 10:00am

Register Now

LATEST SUSTAINABILITY ACCOLADES

FULD NESTING CHAIR BY HERMAN MILLER
Red Dot: Best of the Best Award

The Fuld Nesting Chair by Herman Miller, designed by Stefan Diez, has received the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Product Design in the office chairs category. This top honor is given by an international jury of 40 experts who evaluate designs based on four key qualities: function, aesthetic, ease of use, and responsibility. The Fuld Chair stands out with its sleek and minimalist design, allowing for flexible configurations and a comfortable seating experience. Its unique inverted Y shape and tubular arms, along with its touch of elasticity in the back, make it an ideal choice for various settings, from breakout sessions to corporate training.

PIPPIN CHAIR BY NAUGHTONE
SEAL Sustainable Product Award

Moveable, loveable, customisable – and now award-winning. Our Pippin Chair has been recognised in the SEAL Sustainable Product Awards which, in their words “honour innovative and impactful products that are literally ‘purpose-built’ for a sustainable future”. The Pippin Chair is a flexible lounge chair built for longevity. Designed by Lucy Kurrein, the single-seat, mobile chair was created with its entire lifecycle in mind and represents the latest step in our sustainability journey. Pippin comes with a tailored, zip-on, zip-off cover that not only serves as sophisticated design feature, but also creates a longer-lasting chair. And while Pippin is made to last, it is also built for the circular economy. Its inner casting is free from glues and staples, and it can be completely disassembled when the time comes.