NeoCon
is
right
around
the
corner,
and
there’s
no
shortage
of
sights
to
see,
restaurants
to
try,
and
architectural
inspiration
to
find
in
Chicago.
To
help
make
the
most
of
your
time
in
the
Windy
City,
we’ve
pulled
together
a
must-see
guide
to
what’s
hot—both
inside
THE
MART
and
out!
Read
on
for
tips
on
what
to
do,
where
to
eat,
and
what
to
bring
to
make
the
most
of
your
NeoCon
2025
experience.
WHAT
TO
DOINSIDE
DESIGN
Experiences
NEW
for
2025,
NeoCon,
in
partnership
with
the
Design
Museum
of
Chicago,
gives
show
attendees
behind-the-scenes,
insider
access
to
the
city’s
hot
spots
...
May 15, 2025 by Oxana Dallas, Principal Designer, Commercial, AHF Products
In
today’s
commercial
interiors,
materials
must
work
harder
than
ever
–
delivering
on
durability,
cost-effectiveness,
and
aesthetic
potential.
Vinyl
Composition
Tile
(VCT),
once
relegated
to
utility
spaces
and
institutional
settings,
is
experiencing
a
renaissance.
Forward-thinking
designers
are
reclaiming
VCT
not
only
for
its
functionality,
but
as
a
creative
canvas
for
immersive,
storytelling-driven
environments.
A
Case
Study
in
Retro-Futurism:
Panoramica
in
Peconic,
NYOne
of
the
most
compelling
examples
of
VCT’s
creative
potential
is
Panoramica,
a
striking
coffee
shop
located
in
Peconic,
New
York.
Designed
by
master
craftsman
Ricky
TeeVee,
the
space
channels
a
retro-futurist
vision—an
homage
to
mid-century
space-age
aesthetics
reimagined
for
...
May 05, 2025 by Gaelle Merlin, BCF Design & Development Manager, Aquafil Group
I
have
been
a
designer
for
more
than
27
years
and
believe
this
is
one
of
the
most
thrilling
times
to
be
in
our
industry.
The
development
of
new
circular
materials
that
are
inspired
by
nature
is
an
advancement
that
has
sparked
my
creativity
and
strengthened
my
optimism
that
we
can
evolve
to
become
a
more
sustainable
world.
Nature-inspired
circular
materials
draw
inspiration
from
natural
systems
to
create
materials
that
are
sustainable,
efficient,
and
can
be
recycled.
By
advancing
this
approach
we
are
reducing
waste
and
conserving
resources,
while
still
designing
with
the
benefits
and
beauty
of
natural
materials.
Boston
...
Workplace
design
is
at
an
exciting
crossroads.
As
awareness
of
neurodiversity—differences
in
how
people
think,
learn,
and
perceive
the
world—grows,
there’s
a
shift
towards
creating
environments
that
accommodate
a
wider
variety
of
sensory
and
cognitive
needs.
With
projections
showing
that
by
the
end
of
this
year,
one
in
three
boys
and
one
in
four
girls
will
identify
as
neurodivergent,
designing
inclusive
workplaces
is
no
longer
optional;
it’s
essential.
Traditionally,
offices
have
been
built
around
rigid
standards,
focusing
heavily
on
productivity
metrics
rather
than
comfort
and
well-being.
But
the
concept
of
neurodiversity
is
challenging
this
norm.
It’s
pushing
designers
to
think
differently—not
...
Mar 26, 2025 by Pascale Sablan, CEO, Adjaye Associates
In
recent
times,
the
architectural
community
and
beyond
have
witnessed
a
troubling
backlash
against
Diversity,
Equity,
and
Inclusion
(DEI)
initiatives.
While
these
efforts
have
long
been
essential
to
creating
more
equitable
and
just
environments,
they
are
now
being
challenged
in
ways
that
threaten
to
erase
hard-fought
progress.
However,
even
in
the
face
of
resistance,
the
evidence
of
DEI’s
value
is
undeniable—manifesting
in
the
extraordinary
work
of
women
and
designers
of
color
who
are
shaping
our
built
environment
with
transformative
impact
and
innovation.
Across
the
field
of
architecture,
we
see
projects
that
go
beyond
aesthetics,
addressing
systemic
inequities,
fostering
cultural
representation,
and
...
Feb 13, 2025 by Von Robinson, Industrial Designer and Founder of Play Orbit Studio
This
is
an
exciting
and
creative
time
for
healthcare
designers,
as
the
industry
demands
more
from
us
than
ever
before!
When
I
first
began
designing
products
for
healthcare,
over
a
decade
ago,
the
healthcare
system
was
just
beginning
to
move
from
a
treatment-based
model
to
one
focused
on
wellness.
Today,
with
nearly
60%
of
Americans
prioritizing
wellness,
and
advancements
in
technology
and
medicine
accelerating
this
shift,
it
is
a
pivotal
moment
for
a
design-driven
healthcare
furniture
industry
to
find
its
place
within
the
wellness
model
and
thrive
by
helping
individuals
thrive.
Design-for-Wellness
Challenge
The
wellness
model
brings
a
holistic
approach
to
care.
It
...
Dec 23, 2024 by Kay Sargent, FASID, FIIDA, CID, LEED® AP, MCR.w, WELL AP, Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors, HOK
It
has
been
nearly
a
decade
since
a
client
asked,
“How
do
you
design
space
for
someone
with
ADHD?”
As
a
mother
of
five
children
with
vastly
different
cognitive
profiles
and
a
designer
of
a
wide
variety
of
environments,
I
had
ideas.
But
that
wasn’t
enough.
That
question
sparked
HOK’s
journey
into
researching
neuroinclusive
design.
Our
research
found
an
uncomfortable
reality:
Though
we’ve
done
a
good
job
adapting
our
buildings
for
physical
disabilities,
society
has
largely
overlooked
the
needs
of
neurodivergent
individuals
in
our
workforce.
The
barriers
for
the
neurodivergent
community
are
often
invisible.
Unlike
physical
barriers,
sensory
barriers
are
not
...
Dec 05, 2024 by Jill Doran, Studio Director | Design, Partners by Design
In
the
heart
of
Chicago’s
vibrant
downtown
stands
an
iconic
building
that
has
long
symbolized
innovation,
design,
and
commerce:
the
Merchandise
Mart.
Since
its
grand
opening
in
1930,
this
monumental
Art
Deco
structure
has
been
a
focal
point
of
creativity
and
enterprise,
once
holding
the
title
of
the
largest
building
in
the
world.
Today,
this
historic
institution
is
celebrated
not
only
for
its
architectural
grandeur
but
also
for
its
pivotal
role
in
shaping
the
city’s
cultural
and
business
landscape.
Blending
history
with
modernity,
the
Pinterest
workplace
offers
a
special
tribute
to
the
spirit
of
the
Merchandise
Mart,
bringing
the
essence
of
...
Each
year,
NeoCon
showcases
thousands
of
innovative
products
for
commercial
interiors—spaces
where
we
live,
work,
play,
and
heal—and
serves
as
a
barometer
for
prevailing
and
emerging
movements
in
design.
One
of
these
growing
movements
is
the
rise
of
neuroaesthetics.
“Neuroscience-informed
design
shows
us
that
science
can
guide
us
to
good
choices,”
says
Sally
Augustin,
PhD
Fellow
at
the
American
Psychological
Association
and
Principal
at
Design
With
Science.
While
the
notion
that
sights
and
sounds
impact
mood
is
not
new,
neuroaesthetic
research
shows
that
intentionally
incorporating
these
elements
can
enhance
overall
well-being
and
boost
productivity.
At
NeoCon
this
past
June,
exhibitors
...
Aug 29, 2024 by Suzanne Lefebvre, Interior Design Leader, CannonDesign
Technology
is
everywhere
in
our
lives
—
our
cars,
smartwatches,
phones,
alarm
clocks
—
and
there
is
nothing
inherently
wrong
with
this
reality.
However,
amidst
all
this
tech,
we
cannot
lose
sight
of
the
power
of
immersive
design
and
human
connectivity.
Leaving
NeoCon
earlier
this
summer,
that
commitment
to
immersive
design
resonated
louder
than
before.
Interior
designers
have
the
incredible
agency
to
create
spaces
where
meaningful
human
experiences
take
place.
We
should
embrace
this
power
and
always
push
for
evocative
design
solutions
that
connect
people,
memories,
stories,
and
physical
space
in
profound
ways.
Balancing
bold
graphics
and
dynamic
lighting
highlights
...
Do you have any industry insights or an original thought piece you would like to share with the greater NeoCon audience? Email us to submit it for potential inclusion.
