Screen and Dividers

A desire to block the distractions of the workplace—be they auditory or visual—is nothing new, but the solutions are evolving. The low screens, partitions, and dividers of the past are being replaced with larger, taller, more encompassing versions. Felt-clad privacy screens, now wrap around the sides of workstations and extend above monitors. Full-height walls, like Drape by Okamura, stand between spaces. While this doesn’t mark the return of the cubicle, it does begin to address some of the common issues of the open-office concept. The result is a good compromise of the two—encouraging interactions while minimizing the distractions that get in the way of focus.

Sustainable Materials

See it, touch it, use it—sustainable materials are no longer hidden behind upholstery, relegated to B-surfaces, or forced to mimic something more conventional. At Neocon, their unique colors, textures, and properties were proudly on display. Speckled felt- and fleece-like materials made of recycled plastics wrapped work pods, like the walls of Drape, lending them a soft touch and sound dampening qualities. Striated bamboo tabletops, like those featuring in the Phlox Collection, and exposed-plywood table edges, becoming interesting design details that caught the eye. And OSM—a common, compressed-wood substrate with an instantly recognizable, rustic texture—adorned walls, tables, and other surfaces.

Other products celebrated a subtler sustainability. The Cynara task chair, for example, utilized a light-weight construction to achieve both a refined look and a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Working Lounges

After working from home for several years, people are looking to bring a bit of that casual look and feel back into the office with them. Comfy sofas, slouchy chairs, and colorful stools—like the LW Pouf—are now the ingredients of the working lounge. The working lounge is the perfect place to relax while catching up on emails and text messages, or for a quick, unplanned conversation over coffee. Add a monitor and the lounge supports co-creation. Wheel in a white board and you have an ideation space. These lounges are infinitely flexible.

Relaxing Color Palettes

Desaturated, soothing tones of red, yellow, blue, and green were the color palette of 2022. At Okamura, these colors appeared on Phlox lounge chairs and Nagare sofas, beckoning guests to sit, relax, and chat. Elsewhere, they were featured on privacy screens, seat backs, table legs, rugs, and accessories. The results were peaceful, home-like environments. But don’t underestimate the visual impact of a bright, bold pop of color. The fuchsia upholstery of the Okamura LW Chair grabbed attention and sparked conversation..  

Greenery

Fronds, flowers, and leafy greens were everywhere at Neocon. But rather than an afterthought—like that poor, thirsty office ficus tucked in the corner—this year, the greenery took center stage. Planters became furniture, piled high with big, broad leaves that softly delineated space. Pots were incorporated into desks and arranged on stands to bring a touch of nature, and home, to the office. And, occasionally, the greenery was no longer green. Several showrooms featured dried plants and flowers for an elegant, low-maintenance, effect. No matter their application, plants and planters were the accessory of NeoCon 2022.