Where Does New York City Office Furniture Go When No One Wants It? / Landscape Forms Acquires Summit Furniture / Haworth commits to increasing manufacturing footprint in India as it grows market share / MillerKnoll Comes Together in the Heart of New York City / MillerKnoll, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2023 Results / West Michigan economic signals remain positive despite headwinds / House Committee Grills Federal Real Estate Leaders On Low Office Usage / McKinsey: 'Moderate' Scenario Would See $800B In Value Erased From Major Office Markets By 2030 / Gen Z loves dupes. What does that mean for the design industry? / Office Values Down 27% Over Last 12 Months / HON partners with initiative to develop fabrics made from ocean plastics / and much more…


The Working Space
Monday, July 17, 2023

Industry News

MillerKnoll, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2023 Results

MillerKnoll, Inc. reported its fiscal year 2023 results, with net sales (12 months) increasing by 3.6% year-over-year to $4.1 billion. Consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter were $956.7 million, reflecting a decrease of 13.1% on a reported basis and a decrease of 12.0% organically compared to the same period last year. The company also reported a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2.5x and captured $131 million in run rate synergies following the acquisition of Knoll. The Americas Contract segment posted net sales totaling $474.4 million, down 12.0% year-over-year, while the International Contract and Specialty segment delivered net sales of $237.4 million, down 13.1% on a reported basis. The Global Retail segment's net sales totaled $244.9 million, a decline of 15.0% over the same quarter last year. The company expects net sales to be slightly lower on a year-over-year basis and earnings to be back-half weighted for fiscal year 2024.

During the fourth quarter, MillerKnoll, Inc. recorded special charges associated with recent restructuring actions and ongoing acquisition integration activities. In addition, the company recognized a non-cash, pre-tax charge of $19.7 million related to the impairment of the Knoll trade name. They ended the fourth quarter with a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2.5x and captured $131 million in run rate synergies following the close of the Knoll acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

Landscape Forms Acquires Summit Furniture, a Leading Brand of Premium Outdoor Furnishings
Landscape Forms has acquired Summit Furniture, a leading brand of handcrafted, sustainable, outdoor teak furnishings for the residential, hospitality, and marine markets. Summit will remain a standalone business, becoming part of Landscape Forms’ portfolio of brands which includes Loll Designs and Kornegay Design. The acquisition is expected to bring geographic expansion, new customers and design partners, and new markets for Landscape Forms.

Haworth commits to increasing manufacturing footprint in India as it grows market share
Haworth has strengthened its position in the Indian market, with 20-25% market share in 2022-23. The company has been present in India since 1997 and has introduced premium office furniture to the country, offering products to enhance the work environment. Haworth envisions India becoming a manufacturing hub for exporting products worldwide.

Chennai has played a crucial role in Haworth's strategic goals, serving as a focal point for the company's operations in India, housing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, a global shared service center, and a premium showroom and experience center. Haworth currently employs around 300 people in India, including its Shared Service Center, with five showrooms and offices across the country. The company remains committed to providing quality solutions that meet evolving workplace requirements like design, well-being, flexibility, technology, and sustainability as it continues to grow its market share in India.

Gen Z's love for dupes, or less-expensive alternatives to high-end items, is impacting the design industry. While the trend is technically legal, it hurts creators and original design. The trend is attributed to economic uncertainty and trust in influencers, and brands can combat it through authenticity and transparency. Blu Dot aggressively goes after those copying their work, while Lululemon hosted a dupe swap to convert shoppers to authentic products.

Commercial Furniture & Interior Solutions Provider Empire Office Joins the DIRTT Global Partner Network
Empire Office, a leading commercial furniture and interior solutions provider, has partnered with DIRTT. The partnership will provide total design freedom and greater certainty in cost, schedule, and outcomes, enabling businesses to create agile, collaborative, and sustainable work environments that drive productivity and employee well-being.

MillerKnoll Comes Together in the Heart of New York City
Knoll is set to open its new showrooms at 251 Park Avenue South in Spring 2024. The new retail showroom will showcase the company's products and modern design for home and office, alongside additional Knoll contract showroom space. The building already houses Herman Miller's flagship retail showroom, Geiger showroom, and Maharam sales office and studio. The expanded space will be used to connect with customers across all channels, showcasing MillerKnoll's collective.

Enrico Colizani, Knoll Brand President, said that the new cross-brand MillerKnoll showroom will create a beautiful immersive and convenient-to-visit showroom experience for contract, trade, and retail customers. Knoll's current studio and showroom at 1330 6th Avenue will close concurrently with the opening of the new space at 251 Park Avenue.

 
HON supports the Seaqual Initiative, which creates sustainable fabrics from Seaqual Marine Plastic recovered from ocean clean-ups. HNI's Textiles and Finishes Team has introduced fabrics made from Seaqual Yarn and post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for HON's seating options, office dividers, and organization solutions. These fabrics are soft, durable, and available in a range of colors, and HON is one of the first office furniture manufacturers to offer such sustainable fabrics in their textile portfolio.
HNI Corporation and its family of brands released their biennial Corporate Social Responsibility Report, showcasing their continued commitment to a more inclusive, safe, and sustainable future. The report details the company's progress towards measurable goals in reducing energy use, emissions, and waste, and integrating sustainability into their company culture. Key highlights include a pledge of $1 million to the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine Mulberry Health Clinic project, achieving compliance with all Tier 1 suppliers on HNI Code of Conduct, and a 64% reduction in absolute combined Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions through sourcing of 100% renewable electricity for global operations.

HNI Corporation has also made strides towards their goal of zero waste to landfill, with two facilities achieving zero waste and four additional facilities increasing diversion rates to above 84%, and has eliminated 47% non-recyclable foam in packaging towards a goal of 100% recyclable packaging. The report also highlights the company's progress towards better understanding the chemicals in manufactured products, increasing diversity goals by increasing the number of women and ethnically diverse leaders, and creating a more inclusive workplace and opportunities for members to connect through member resource groups, inclusive leader training, and member unconscious bias training.

Forty Years of Manufacturing Glass in Chicago and Skyline Design is only Picking Up Speed
Skyline Design, an architectural glass company based in Chicago, is celebrating 40 years of domestic manufacturing. The company specializes in large-scale glass tempering, etching, back-painting, digital printing, lamination, and a recently integrated process of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (Smart Glass). Skyline Design also collaborates with design world heavyweights such as Knoll and Patricia Urquiola. The company is committed to sustainability and community involvement, partnering with Chicago organizations to provide job placement opportunities for refugees, formerly incarcerated individuals, and people with developmental disabilities.
Despite concerns of a national economic slump, the June Current Business Trends survey by Grand Valley State University of West Michigan manufacturers showed mostly positive signals, with new orders, production, and employment still in positive territory, though the orders and production indices softened from May. West Michigan's resiliency is attributed to the automotive industry, which is dealing with a backlog that could last for another year, while the office furniture industry, another key West Michigan industry, is seeing a slowdown but hasn't collapsed. Even if a recession hits, it may not affect West Michigan as much as other parts of the country.
A new report by McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by 2030, there could be a projected loss of $800 billion of office value in real terms across nine "superstar" cities due to hybrid and work-from-home trends. The report also notes that the pandemic drove a major shift in how business was done, and the current rate of office attendance could persist. The impact on value could be even stronger if rising interest rates compound it, and the cities studied face substantial challenges that could imperil their fiscal health.
A government report found that 17 of 24 federal agencies left three-quarters of their space unused, leading to a debate on Capitol Hill about what to do with underutilized federal buildings. The issue has been exacerbated by the shift toward work-from-home and hybrid trends, and federal agencies have been slow to bring employees back despite calls to return to normal in-office levels. The GSA has been criticized for delays in reducing federal agency footprints in line with decreased need, and federal property management has been on GAO's high-risk list for 20 years. Multiple consolidations have occurred recently or are in the pipeline, but agencies need to make decisions soon about how much space they need.
San Francisco's office market experienced one of its worst quarters since 1997, with net negative absorption of 2.2M SF. Big companies in the technology industry are giving up space due to the new realities of remote and hybrid work, causing sublease availability to go up to 11.5%. The office vacancy rate stands at a historic high of 31.6%, and the city's tax structure may need to be revamped to spur business activity in the downtown corridor.
Boston's mayor has introduced a pilot program to incentivize the conversion of underutilized office buildings to residential properties through a public-private partnership. Downtown commercial office building owners will receive reduced property tax rates in return for immediately converting their buildings to residential uses. The program aims to create more housing and affordability in downtown Boston and encourage collaboration, creation, living, and playing in the area.
Office leasing in the US increased by 11.6% in Q2, the biggest quarterly jump since Q2 2021, reflecting increased confidence in office usage. However, productivity decreased 4.3% in the non-financial corporate sector in Q1, and office values continue to deteriorate while some markets break vacancy records. The positive indicators in Q2 aren't enough to declare a recovery officially underway.
Office leasing activity in Los Angeles dropped 15% in Q2 2023 due to market uncertainty, resulting in a record-high office availability rate of 26.6%. Despite this, overall average asking rents increased to $3.84 per square foot, and Class A average asking rent increased to $4.06 per SF. Savills predicts that available sublease space will continue to increase as occupiers focus on right-sizing their real estate footprints, and tenant-favorable conditions will persist as landlords look to preserve occupancy amidst economic uncertainty.
Office property values dropped 27% over the last 12 months, with a 6% drop in June 2023 alone, according to Green Street. Apartments also saw a 16% drop in value, while industrial only edged down 2% over the last year and bumped upward 2% in June.
Atlanta's office vacancy rate has reached an all-time high of 28.2%, with an additional 8.7 million square feet of sublease space available, according to Savills. Despite this, landlords have not reduced asking rents, which increased slightly to $30.85 per square foot in Q2 2022. The slow decision-making process of tenants, who are still uncertain about their office space needs due to hybrid work schedules, is causing difficulties for landlords. Some are offering more generous tenant improvement allowances and free rent to attract tenants, while others are being forced to sell off properties to pay down debts.

Features

As more and more office spaces in New York City remain unoccupied, the question of what to do with the furniture has become a logistical challenge. While some pieces are sold at auctions or repurposed, most end up in landfills. The pandemic has led to a surge in storage facilities, with many businesses storing their furnishings. However, with clients failing to pay for storage, auctions for delinquent lots have increased, and many items are discarded due to a lack of warehouse space. Despite efforts to reuse and repurpose office equipment, more than 10 million tons of office furniture in the United States end up in landfills every year.
What if a workplace could boost employee performance and productivity by harnessing their inner motivation? Intrinsic motivation is the desire to do something because it is satisfying, interesting, or enjoyable in itself, as opposed to external motivators such as compensation or status. Psychologists Deci and Ryan identify three key intrinsic motivators: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In a workplace, autonomy is the sense of control over how, when, and where we work, and choice of settings and environments is highly correlated with a positive workplace experience. Belonging is the sense of connection to a larger purpose or community, and can be fostered through spaces for casual encounters, rituals, or cultural events. Competence is the feeling of pride in what we do and the desire to demonstrate mastery of our work, and can be achieved through technical spaces, project rooms, and mentorship opportunities. By providing a variety of spaces that align with these three intrinsic motivators, workplaces can activate employees' inner desire to succeed, improve, and be their best selves, driving better results in the long term.

Clifford Chance, an international law firm, recently downsized its London office, moving from 700K SF to a building almost half the size. The move was motivated by the need to reduce the total cost of occupancy, increase operational efficiency, and improve sustainability. The new building offers high levels of flexibility, smart technology for building use monitoring, and the highest possible sustainability credentials.

The move to a smaller space was in line with the firm's pre-pandemic plan to reduce costs and increase operational efficiency. Clifford Chance aims to use its real estate as flexibly as possible to bring down costs, allowing people to work in a better way. The firm has committed to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% by 2030, ensuring that it is net-zero by 2030. Sustainability is an increasingly important factor in attracting talented staff, and Clifford Chance is committed to meeting science-based targets. The move to the new building will allow it to reduce energy consumption while still offering a good experience to staff and clients.

Workspace News

The global design firm Gensler recently conducted a survey of 14,000 workers in nine countries to study how office employees spend their time at work and how office design impacts their experience. The study reveals that while more than 60% of workers said they need to be in an office to feel the most productive in their work, only 43% of the offices the surveyed employees work in have spaces that are effective and offer great workplace experiences. Additionally, only 38% of workplaces have been redesigned since the pandemic began.

The survey also showed that workers need to come into the office for both individual and team productivity. The sweet spot for workers to maximize their productivity at the office is between 58 to 68% of a typical work week at the office. However, workers want to be able to shift their focus and toggle between different kinds of tasks, like they would have done pre-pandemic when they were in the office more. The disconnect between workers wanting an equal amount of private and collaborative space is being driven in part by an increasing number of companies shrinking their footprints and opting not to add private workspaces. Companies need to pay constant attention to what works and what doesn’t to create the right equation of individual and team workspaces and offer a good set of choices to make the difference for workers and help offices turn the corner in terms of occupancy.

A recent study by Placer.ai found that while office building occupancy has increased to 60% of pre-pandemic levels, many employees are still not returning to the office. Kastle Systems also reports that office attendance has dipped below 50% across 10 major US cities despite mandates. However, foot traffic to offices has reached its highest level since before COVID-19. Regional differences were also noted, with San Francisco lagging behind other cities in terms of recovery.
The office environment aids collaboration and fosters empathy, making it ideal for high-impact, shorter-duration tasks that gain from in-person interactions. These include intense collaboration, difficult dialogues, cultivating affiliation, professional development, mentoring, and nurturing weak connections. The golden standard for hybrid work involves reducing commute times by scheduling only high-value, face-to-face activities at the office, contributing to higher retention rates, greater engagement, and improved morale among the hybrid workforce while curbing burnout.
Canadian companies can improve workplace productivity by leveraging the physical workplace, according to Gensler's Global Workplace Survey. The survey shows that Canadians need more choice in where to work within the office and redesigned offices that support hybrid work. Additionally, creating environments that improve effectiveness and experience can drive better business outcomes, with younger employees being the most willing to return to the office if their work environment is improved.
Shopify has released a Meeting Cost Calculator Chrome extension that integrates with Google Calendar to show the estimated cost of meetings based on who is attending and how long the meeting lasts. Shopify found that an average 30-minute meeting with three employees cost the company between $700 and $1,600 each time. The tool can help teams decide whether the time spent in meetings is worth the cost in lost productivity.

Update: A Shopify spokesperson told us that the Chrome extension is not publicly available. The purpose, rather, is to share details of the tool and “inspire other companies to follow suit.”

Despite the pandemic's impact on office spaces, long-term office leases are being signed at pre-pandemic levels, with companies making multiyear commitments to rooms and buildings. While demand is less than before, leasing is going up, and building owners are making generous concessions to tenants, including upgrades and renovations. However, staying competitive will be out of financial reach for many office buildings, and many analysts predict that lots of office-building owners will be forced to give their underperforming buildings back to their lenders. Nonetheless, experts suggest that now may be the right time for tenants to make long-term commitments, as they can ask for more of what they want, and almost everybody who can will be willing to give it to them.

Trends

The pandemic has accelerated workplace trends that were already underway, leading to a reprioritization of the office as a place to focus on work and have access to technology, meetings, and resources. Employers need to address the gap between current office utilization and what employees say they need, as office workers report that they ideally need to be in the office more often to maximize their productivity.

Five workplace trends are driving priorities for the new post-pandemic office: mobility, choice, privacy, hybrid work, and health and well-being. Workers expect the ability to work from anywhere, a variety of work settings beyond the office, maintaining privacy, improving the hybrid experience, and having health and wellness incorporated into everything. Employers must rethink the physical office to create workspaces where employees want to be and where they are supported to do their individual and collective best work.

The article discusses the changing role of the office in 2023 and beyond. Instead of competing with remote work, companies should use physical facilities as a collaborative partner in the overall network of where work is done. Architects and designers must view the office as a new tool and imagine it as an equalizer, incubator, culture center, and showroom all in one.

The office can serve as an equalizer by providing amenities that cannot be easily replicated at home, addressing disparities in home workspaces, and facilitating access to essential internal resources. It can function as an incubator by promoting creativity and innovation and providing dynamic spaces for collaboration and experimentation. The office can act as a culture center by embodying the company's vision, mission, and values through thoughtful design and technology integration.

By treating the office as a showroom, spaces can evoke a sense of belonging to something greater, showcasing the brand and creating opportunities for social and business connectivity. In reimagining the office as an equalizer, incubator, culture center, and showroom, architects and designers can create a transformative workplace that aligns with employees' evolving needs and aspirations for years to come.

Design

"What the F* is Happening to the Office?" is a video series that explores the dynamic landscape of work and our evolving work environments. The series features discussions with experts from various disciplines and sheds light on the vital factors that shape our work experiences. The program seeks out groundbreaking concepts and innovative ideas that hold the potential to revolutionize how and where we work.
As companies shift to hybrid work arrangements, designers must consider the needs of neurodivergent workers. Three key considerations include viewing space through the lens of neurodiversity, designing to provide choices, and making the most of available space. Designers should seek feedback from a wide range of staff, provide a variety of sensory experiences, and make spaces adjustable to function in different ways for different people.
Designing for neurodiversity in the workplace requires understanding the needs of people with different ways of thinking, perceiving, and experiencing the world. This includes addressing the needs of people with neurodivergent conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and Tourette Syndrome. Design strategies include zoning, sequencing, transitions and buffers, thresholds, and wayfinding, while providing choices and adaptability for individuals with more intense responses to sensory stimuli. Research and analysis are needed to relate the perceptions and behaviors of specific individuals with neurodivergent conditions to the spaces they occupy.

AI

The integration of AI in workplace architecture and design is redefining the experience of employees. AI's predictive analysis can optimize building orientation, materials, local climate data, and energy consumption, resulting in concepts that prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability. AI can also track employee movement and interaction to suggest designs that enhance collaboration, productivity, and well-being.

AI can create adaptive workspaces tailored to individual preferences, adjusting temperature, lighting, and ambient noise levels. It can also schedule tasks and meetings, monitor posture, and provide wellness breaks. AI-driven personalized learning programs can curate a unique learning pathway for employees based on their current skill level, learning style, and career ambitions to ensure continuous growth and adaptation to evolving business landscapes. AI can optimize energy usage, reduce waste, and predict equipment failures, minimizing disruptions and lowering maintenance costs. However, the ethical implications of AI integration must be managed judiciously to maintain a balance between automation and human interaction.

FabricGenie, an AI-powered textile design tool, allows users to input prompts and receive a pattern with working repeats. The tool was created by entrepreneurs Danny Richman and Carl Fisher, owner of The Millshop Online, a UK-based fabric company. FabricGenie has already received considerable interest, with 3,800 design requests and 500 swatch orders within a week of launch. While the technology is not yet perfect, the creators plan to market it to interior designers and white label it for other sites.
JLL's 2023 Global Real Estate Technology Survey found that AI and generative AI were expected to have the greatest impact on real estate over the next three years. AI could transform the sector, but the details of what comes next are unclear. AI and generative AI will have an impact on commercial real estate, with AI expected to boost productivity. AI companies and supporting infrastructure will drive demand for real estate, and AI-powered solutions are already available for a broad range of real estate functions. The PropTech sector has laid a solid foundation for AI integration into real estate applications. It is crucial for real estate investors, developers, and corporate occupiers to stay informed and strategic, considering how to leverage the power of AI to support their business objectives and how to do it in a responsible and ethical way.

Technology

Matterport, a Silicon Valley-based spatial data company, plans to cut 170 jobs and reduce office space due to cost-reduction efforts. The company makes 3D cameras that capture building interiors for virtual tours and other uses. Matterport's products have experienced a surge in demand due to the pandemic's stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements. In addition to digitizing the built environment, Matterport is used by contract furniture makers to make photographic versions of their showrooms.

Latest Products

Boss Design has unveiled the Ola Tub chair, an evolution of the original Ola chair collection, offering extra comfort, support, and security. The new addition to the Ola family is suitable for informal café and breakout seating, meeting and boardroom settings. It is available in six color options, multiple fabric and finish choices, and various bases. Ola Tub is designed to be flexible, durable, and easily reupholstered, extending the working life of the chair and lowering its environmental impact.
Japanese-minimalist aesthetics meet Italian craftsmanship and heritage in the Riva collection by Aceray. The line is comprised of two styles – rocker or armchair – with several finish options including saddle leather seat with stitched, exposed-seams back or a Danish paper cord rush seat and back. Because of its handcrafted nature, each Riva chair is slightly unique, providing a high-end aesthetic to any interior. The line provides a striking profile to make a statement and is ideal for hospitality, workplace, and public spaces.
Carnegie has launched the Hygeia Collection, a new high-performance sustainable textile series that provides upholstery and window drapery solutions for health and wellness spaces. The collection features 100% recycled textiles, is 100% PVC and PFAS free, and all upholstery fabrics are tested to withstand 100,000 to 250,000 double rubs, making them highly durable and easy to clean and maintain for high-traffic environments. The seven patterns in the collection expand Carnegie’s wellness-focused offerings with classically-inspired neutrals, suitable for a range of healthcare projects, education, hospitality, corporate, and multifamily environments.
Bly Studio designed a wall-mounted unit for a hideaway home office with a swinging exterior panel that becomes a desk and a rotating upper table for a laptop. The piece was designed and built in three weeks for a competing-designers television show in Denmark called "Denmark's Next [Furniture] Classic."

Other News

The Washington Post asked six top interior designers to reimagine Barbie's Dreamhouse for the modern-day. The designers drew inspiration from Barbie's evolution and the Barbiecore trend, resulting in a mix of playful, sultry, and sophisticated spaces. The Dreamhouse has come a long way since its mid-century cardboard ranch with wood paneling in 1962, and the latest version features a kidney-shaped pool, three-story spiral pool slide, potted succulents, and a mod swinging chair. BTW, none of the ideas included a work from home office. But then again, what does Barbie do all day?
ByDesign TV is a global collection of primetime television series on architecture, interiors, landscapes, and industrial design. The show's goal is to fill the gaps in TV's portrayal of architecture and more accurately represent design to the masses while offering creative freedom. ByDesign features a host or commentator that tours a mix of residential, commercial, and public buildings with their designers or architects to uncover what makes it iconic. The show uses an "award show" format, inspired by the Good Design Awards, where participants pay an entry fee that helps fund the production, which then pays for the airtime on cable networks. ByDesign TV is selective and particular in their criteria for entry, so the featured works are creative and innovative.

Trends in Commercial Projects from Around the Globe

The Executive Centre's new flexible workspace at 180 George St, Sydney, designed by GroupGSA, offers private offices, coworking spaces, and meeting rooms across two floors of the Salesforce Tower. The space is designed to cater to MNCs and SMEs seeking future-ready, flexible, hybrid workspaces within the Circular Quay precinct. The design is inspired by Sydney Harbour and features premium furnishings, layered finishes, and AV technology. The space offers some of Sydney's best vantage points and a commanding Sydney Harbour view from the coworking lounge on Level 22.
Architecture firm KN Group_Design that Works applied circular economy principles and sustainable materials when redesigning the Athens office of digital platform Edenred. The Bauhaus-inspired interior includes nods to postmodernism and art deco, with environmentally friendly features such as compartmentalised recycling bins, charging spaces for electric cars, and CFC-free air-conditioning units. The building has been fitted with insulating cladding and energy-efficient windows, while bespoke furniture is made of FSC-certified wood and recycled materials.
Studio ANTIPOD designed the Tenderly Office in Belgrade with a blend of Japanese aesthetics and playful building blocks. The office spans three floors, with the first floor serving as a social hub, the second floor designed for solo work and group meetings, and the third floor showcasing a mix of open and closed offices. The space reflects the calm essence of Japanese culture with the use of grids, calming tones, natural materials, and greenery, while vibrant colors and playful shapes add energy and creativity. Lush green plants throughout add a biophilic touch, while helping to reduce sound, improve air quality, and boost productivity.
2BOLD designed a friendly, calm environment for M25's technology hub in Madrid, Spain, with a focus on community and wellbeing. The space includes writable surfaces, natural lighting, greenery, and masonry finishes. The founders were involved in the project from the beginning, and the brand design was integrated into all design strategies. The community-oriented space has been successful, with private offices fully booked and events hosted regularly.

Upcoming Industry Events

NeoCon 2024
June 10-12, 2024 | Chicago, IL
 
NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry since 1969. A launch pad for innovation—NeoCon offers ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future.  

Clerkenwell Design Week 2024
May 21-23, 2024 | London

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world. To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a showcase of leading UK and international brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area.

Orgatec 2024
October 22-26, 2024 | Cologne, Germany

Orgatec is the International trade fair for office and property equipment. Held in Cologne, Germany.

Industry Briefing

Celebrating Vice President of Textile Design Shantel McGowan’s Two Decades of Design Brilliance at Momentum
Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering celebrates the 20th anniversary of Vice President of Textile Design Shantel McGowan, whose creative vision has reimagined commercial textiles through color, texture, and performance. McGowan has pushed the industry towards positive sustainability practices and has collaborated with artists such as Sheila Hicks and Shantell Martin to produce award-winning collections. Under McGowan's leadership, Momentum continues to refine and revolutionize contemporary market offerings with sustainability at the forefront of its mission.

Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Houston
Scandinavian Spaces has hired Balden Contract Group as their new sales representative for the Houston territory. The company is focused on cultivating a premier sales force and is expanding across North America with their curated line rooted in Nordic design.

Nassimi Reiterates Commitment to Environment with Release of Inaugural Sustainability Report
Textile manufacturer Nassimi has released its inaugural sustainability report, highlighting its environmentally conscious initiatives and setting Science-Based Targets (SBTs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption, and waste material. The report also outlines the company's milestones, including the elimination of phthalates from PVC and PFAS from woven textiles. Nassimi plans to issue the report annually to benchmark its sustainability performance and promote transparency and accountability.

IIDA NY Hosts 5th Annual Volunteer Fair
The International Interior Design Association of New York (IIDA NY) will host its 5th Annual Volunteer Fair on July 26th, featuring representatives from its 28 committees to answer questions and provide information on upcoming initiatives, providing an opportunity for those interested in more involvement within the IIDA NY community. Registration for the Volunteer For is free; tickets can be registered at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iida-ny-volunteer-fair-tickets-636865179897. For more information on each of IIDA NY’s committees, please visit https://iidany.org/get-involved/volunteer/our-committees/.

Mantra Inspired Furniture - Best of NeoCon 2023 Sustainability Award
Mantra Inspired Furniture's EarthPly Collection has won the Best of NeoCon 2023 Sustainability Award for its commitment to environmental responsibility, design excellence, and adaptability in conference and meeting room furniture. The collection's innovative use of Forest Stewardship Council certified plywood and 100% post-consumer recycled paper composite demonstrates a steadfast commitment to sustainability. The EarthPly Collection embodies Mantra Inspired Furniture's commitment to providing sustainable furniture solutions that enhance spaces and reflect clients' values.
Arper celebrates Plastic-Free July by highlighting their sustainably designed products, including the Mixu chair made from recycled polypropylene and steel. Arper sets an example for genuine sustainable changes and challenges the industry to follow suit.
Find the best Contract Furniture Industry jobs and hire the best talent.
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A Sales Associate/Showroom Administrator at Exemplis is responsible for various sales and sales support functions related to the Exemplis Northern California Sales Team as well as managing all aspects of the SitOnIt Seating San Jose showroom.
Exemplis, manufacturer of SitOnIt and IDEON seating, is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated sales representative for our Mid-Atlantic Sales Team.

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Mayer Fabrics, a leading commercial textile company, is seeking highly motivated and dynamic Sales Representatives and/or Rep Groups in the greater areas of Dallas, TX, New York, NY, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada to join our team.
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