As far as WTFs go, there’s probably nothing larger in the design world than the show at The Merchandise Mart taking place right now in Chicago. The The Best of NeoCon WTF 2010 is held annually (and it’s going on right now for 2010) for ‘contract designers,’ those more involved in industrial design for public areas, offices, and hospitals, and on a more limited basis, homes.
The Best of NeoCon WTF 2010 exhibits are displayed throughout the huge Mart, and yesterday, 81 awards were distributed ranging from architectural awards to workplace technologies. Here are 11 of my favorite winners from the NeoCon WTF 2010 competition. (No, it’s not the WTF you are thinking; it’s the World Trade Fair!)
Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards: Furniture Category
1. Architectural Products Gold Award: Kids Glass by Skyline Design
Kids Glass by Skyline Design: Neocon 2010 Architectural Gold Award
2. Casegoods Editors’ Choice: Jofco DR
Great legs!
Jofco DR, Best of NeoCon 2010, Casegoods Editors’ Choice: designed by Claudio Bellini
3. Worksurfaces: Height-Adjustable Gold Award: Wing-It by
SurfaceWorks
Stand or sit; it’s a push-button adjustable work station!
Wing-It by SurfaceWorks, Best of Neocon 2010, Height-Adjustable Gold Award
4. Educational Solutions Innovation Award: node™ by Steelcase,
Inc.
Pull up a chair! (Wheels are a popular feature on chairs in the exhibit this year.)
Node by Steelcase, Inc, Best of NeoCon 2010, Educational Solutions Innovation Award
Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards: Healthcare Categories Winners
5. Healthcare Furniture Gold Winner: Compass™ by Herman Miller
Healthcare
This is not just a hospital bed. It’s a fully modular room that can be used for patients, exam, or clinical settings.
Compass by Herman Miller Healthcare, Best of NeoCon 2010, Healthcare Furniture Gold Winner
6. Healthcare Seating Gold Award: Allay Sleep Sofa by Wieland
Sofa by day, sleeper by night. Perfect for a patient’s room; it eliminates the weird juggling of chairs as new visitors come into the room.
Allay Sleep Sofa by Wieland, Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards, Healthcare Seating Gold Award
Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards: Seating Category Winners
7. Benches Gold Award: dna Collaborative Seating and Tables by Teknion
Meeting spaces are more connected.
dna Collaborative Seating & Tables by Teknion, Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards, Benches Gold Award
Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards: Carpet and Flooring Category Winners
8. Modular (Tile) Silver Award: 18×36 by Shaw Contract Group
What a difference the shape makes!
18 X 36 by Shaw Contract Group, Best of NeoCon2010 Awards, Modular Tile Silver Award
Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards: Fabrics and Coverings Category Winners
9. Upholstery Gold Award: Rodarte by Knoll Luxe
These upholstery patterns were inspired by Rodarte’s runway designs from the last five years.
Rodarte by Knoll Luxe, Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards, Upholstery Gold Award
10. Window Treatments Innovation Award: Sundialer® by
MechoShade Systems
A smart shade puller, the Sundialer automatically adjusts your window shades to their optimal positions, based on ‘scientific calculations’ and user preferences. It minimizes glare, maximizes natural light, and saves energy.
SunDialer® by MechoShade Systems, Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards, Window Treatments Innovation Award
Best of NeoCon 2010 Awards: Lighting, Technologies, and Other Category Winners
11. Office Accessories Gold Award: Humanair
Personal Zone Air Purifier by Humanscale
Air is personal when it comes to the Personal Zone Purifier, and it surrounds you with a "bubble" of clean and silent, ozone free air.
Humanair Personal Zone Air Purifier, Best of NeoCon 2010, Office Accessories Gold Award
Contract, NeoCon WTF
