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In this issue… HNI reports Q1 results shaped by the Steelcase acquisition and reiterates a path to margin improvement and ongoing synergy savings. Global marks its 60th anniversary, emphasizing its growth into a major contract-furniture player while maintaining a people-first culture and quality-at-scale focus. Lacasse unifies its brands under a single name with a new identity, marketing program, and planned product/collaboration momentum. Actiu accelerates its U.S. push ahead of NeoCon 2026, leaning on sustainability credentials and an expanded rep network. COE Distributing opens a major new Charlotte distribution center/showroom to boost inventory and delivery speed. Product news spotlights Carnegie’s biobased Xorel Luxe patterns, Móz Designs’ illuminated Statement Columns, Encore’s Lapella lounge seating, and HON’s expanded SoCo upholstery with HBF Textiles. Interface posts strong Q1 growth and raises full-year guidance. Office coverage points to uneven stabilization led by premium Class A; LA closes the gap with Austin, and Vornado signals renewed confidence in elite Manhattan. Foam-cost pressure follows a Texas plant disruption, and AI-at-work coverage shifts from experimentation to execution as agents move into daily workflows.
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By the Numbers
U.S. employment grew in April, driven largely by a 37,000‑job surge in healthcare, while part‑time work rose and the labor force slipped, keeping unemployment steady at 4.3%. Payrolls have averaged about 48,000 jobs per month recently, with transportation, warehousing, retail, and social assistance also adding jobs, but federal employment fell and overall employment is down 11.5% since its October 2024 peak. Wage growth remained strong at 3.6% year‑over‑year, and the Fed left interest rates unchanged, monitoring the combined effects of immigration limits, an aging population, and geopolitical tensions on the labor market. |
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U.S. employers announced 83,387 job cuts in April, a 38% rise from March, driven largely by AI-related changes that accounted for 26% of layoffs. Technology firms led the cuts, while other sectors such as government, warehousing, services, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, industrial goods, and media also saw significant reductions. Hiring plans dropped sharply, with only 10,049 new hires announced in April, a 69% decline from March. Companies continue to invest heavily in AI infrastructure even as they trim payrolls and delay hiring across many industries.
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"In our legacy Workplace Furnishings businesses, first quarter net sales were down about five percent year-over-year on an organic basis, with modest organic growth in our businesses focused on small- and medium-sized workplace customers."
-Jeff Lorenger, HNI Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer |
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HNI Bets Big on Steelcase as Cost Cuts and Integration Drive 2026 Outlook
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HNI Corporation used its first quarter earnings report to send a clear message to the contract furnishings industry: the company’s acquisition of Steelcase is no longer just a scale play — it is now the centerpiece of a broader profitability and margin expansion strategy.
The Muscatine-based manufacturer reported first quarter net sales of $1.3 billion, a 125 percent increase over the prior-year quarter, fueled primarily by the addition of Steelcase following the deal’s close in late 2025. While HNI posted a GAAP net loss of $38.8 million and diluted earnings per share of negative $0.55, the company emphasized adjusted performance, reporting non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.34, slightly ahead of internal expectations.
The quarter was marked by geopolitical pressure on workplace demand, particularly tied to uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East and broader tariff concerns. Even so, HNI executives repeatedly stressed that cost discipline, pricing actions, productivity improvements, and Steelcase integration synergies helped offset softer order activity.
For the contract furniture market, the most notable takeaway may not have been the quarter itself, but what HNI is signaling about its long-term operating model following the Steelcase acquisition.
The company disclosed that it terminated Steelcase’s multi-year ERP implementation project during the quarter, framing the move as part of a broader effort to “streamline priorities” and redirect spending toward customer-facing initiatives and profitable growth. The decision also generated restructuring charges during the quarter, but HNI executives argued it avoids future disruption and significant technology investment costs.
That move illustrates how aggressively HNI appears to be reshaping Steelcase operations post-acquisition. The company said Steelcase-related synergies remain on track to eventually contribute $120 million, or roughly $1.20 in non-GAAP diluted EPS, once fully mature. Combined with HNI’s legacy network optimization efforts, the company expects cumulative savings to exceed $150 million annually over time.
HNI Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Lorenger said the integration is progressing smoothly and that the combined cultures are “melding nicely,” while emphasizing that management remains focused on margin expansion and deleveraging the balance sheet over the next two years.
In the Workplace Furnishings segment, first quarter sales climbed 169 percent to $1.2 billion because of the Steelcase acquisition. Organically, however, sales declined 5.2 percent year-over-year as macroeconomic uncertainty weighed on larger contract customers. HNI noted that orders from small- and medium-sized businesses remained positive, while March order trends improved significantly by quarter-end.
Despite the softer demand environment, HNI said Workplace Furnishings operating profit nearly doubled from the prior-year period when including Steelcase. Executives also pointed to continued investment in growth initiatives even while aggressively managing costs.
The acquisition’s accounting impacts heavily influenced quarterly results. HNI recorded $64.2 million in non-cash purchase accounting adjustments tied to Steelcase, along with $3.5 million in acquisition-related costs. Gross margin and operating margins were pressured by those items, as well as restructuring expenses associated with integration and network optimization initiatives.
Still, the company remains bullish on the combined enterprise. HNI expects low-single-digit organic growth in Workplace Furnishings during 2026 and forecast a fifth consecutive year of double-digit non-GAAP EPS growth. The second half of 2026 is expected to strengthen meaningfully as synergies accelerate and cost actions take hold.
For the broader contract furnishings industry, the report reinforces how transformative the Steelcase acquisition has become for HNI’s competitive positioning. The deal effectively reshapes HNI into a much larger global workplace player at a time when many manufacturers continue struggling with uneven office demand, geopolitical volatility, and cautious corporate spending.
At the same time, HNI’s willingness to quickly terminate large-scale internal projects, aggressively pursue cost savings, and consolidate operations may signal how much pressure manufacturers remain under to preserve profitability in a still-fragile office market.
The company’s outlook suggests management believes scale, operational discipline, and integration synergies — rather than a broad-based office market rebound alone — will drive the next phase of earnings growth. |
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DIRTT Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
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DIRTT reported first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $42.4 million, a 3% rise year over year, while gross profit fell to $13.0 million (30.6% margin). Net loss after tax widened to $3.3 million, driven by higher reorganization costs and lower gross profit. Adjusted EBITDA dropped to $1.4 million (3.3% of revenue). Liquidity stood at $25.1 million. The company secured $6.9 million from BDC, repaid $12.1 million of convertible debentures, and entered several strategic agreements, including a support and standstill pact with major shareholders. The twelve‑month pipeline grew 16% to roughly $338 million, with construction services contributing about $55 million. DIRTT maintained its 2026 guidance of $194–$209 million revenue and $26–$31 million adjusted EBITDA, emphasizing disciplined execution, pipeline growth, and cost‑optimization initiatives.
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Lacasse Rebrands for Growth as Canadian Manufacturers Continue North American Resurgence
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Canadian manufacturers continue to gain momentum in the North American contract furniture market, and the latest example comes from Lacasse, which is rolling out a sweeping rebrand designed to position the 70-year-old company for a larger role in the evolving workplace landscape.
Formerly known as Groupe Lacasse, the company announced this week that it will now operate under the simplified Lacasse name, consolidating its various sub-brands into a unified identity that executives say better reflects the scale of its manufacturing investments, product ambitions and growing design focus. The move comes as several Canadian manufacturers have been enjoying renewed visibility in the U.S. market, fueled by investments in domestic production, sharper contemporary design strategies and an increasingly favorable view of North American manufacturing among dealers and clients navigating geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain pressures.
“This new image embodies who we are today and, more importantly, where we are headed,” said Sylvain Garneau, president and CEO of Lacasse. “Our significant investments in the last five years have resulted in the most sophisticated manufacturing facility in the industry, with engineering and robotics capabilities unmatched. The new identity recognizes the remarkable transformation our company has undergone in recent years.”
The rebrand includes a new logo, updated marketing platform and a broader repositioning effort centered around workplace performance and what the company describes as “revealing human potential.” The initiative also coincides with a series of new product introductions and showroom investments that signal Lacasse is aiming to elevate its profile with the architecture and design community.
Under the direction of Dominic Aubry, vice president of product design and innovation, Lacasse plans to debut a new lounge seating collection created in collaboration with Italian designer Francesco Favaretto at NeoCon 2026 next month in Chicago. The company is also partnering with Montréal-based architecture firm ACDF Architecture on a series of redesigned showroom concepts. Newly branded spaces in New York, Chicago and Montréal are expected to open throughout the spring and summer of 2026.
The timing is notable as Canadian manufacturers appear to be reclaiming some of the relevance they enjoyed in earlier decades of the contract furnishings industry. Companies north of the border have increasingly leaned into advanced manufacturing, healthcare expertise and design partnerships as differentiators in a market where clients are looking for alternatives to global sourcing complexity. Lacasse’s emphasis on robotics, engineering and vertically integrated production reflects a broader regional trend toward manufacturing resiliency and operational control.
“Our dynamic new branding and additional leading-edge product designs will ensure Lacasse offers its dealer community and customers the best opportunity for creating successful workplaces that inspire people to bring their best every day,” said Gary Hierlihy, vice president of sales and marketing.
Founded in 1956, Lacasse manufactures furniture for commercial and institutional environments across North America and has long maintained a strong presence in both the private office and systems categories. With its latest rebrand, the company appears intent on competing more aggressively in the design-driven workplace conversation at a time when the North American contract market is increasingly rewarding manufacturers capable of pairing local production with elevated aesthetics and speed to market. |
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“It all started with a chair the average person could afford,” Saul Feldberg, Founder and late Chairman of the Global Group of Companies.
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Canadian contract furniture manufacturers continue to build momentum across North America, and this week another industry heavyweight is celebrating a major milestone. Global Furniture Group announced its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of growth from a small seating manufacturer into one of the largest contract furniture companies in the world.
Founded in 1966 by Saul Feldberg with the goal of building “a chair that the average person could afford,” the company has evolved into a major supplier of workplace, healthcare and education furniture, supported by a dealer network of more than 2,500 partners across North America and beyond.
The anniversary comes at a time when several Canadian manufacturers have been expanding their influence in the U.S. market, fueled by investments in manufacturing, healthcare furniture, dealer relationships and vertically integrated operations. Global’s continued growth reflects that broader resurgence, particularly as dealers and end users increasingly prioritize speed-to-market, domestic manufacturing capabilities and operational stability.
President and CEO Joel Feldberg said the company’s culture remains rooted in the philosophy established by his father decades ago. “Our mantra is ‘Improve everything, change nothing,’ meaning we continue to improve our processes, our designs, and our efficiencies—but we don’t change our culture or who we are,” Feldberg said.
Over the years, Global expanded from its original facility in Downsview, Ontario into a vertically integrated manufacturing operation with a significant North American footprint. The company pointed to investments in local manufacturing, quality control and infrastructure as key drivers behind its longevity and ability to respond quickly to changing workplace demands.
Among the milestones highlighted by the company were the launch of its first color catalogs in the 1970s, the creation of Canada’s first in-house government-certified furniture testing laboratory in the 1990s, and the opening of its 110,000-square-foot Global Group Center in Toronto in 2000, designed by Moriyama and Teshima Architects.
Global said it will commemorate the anniversary with a special event at its Toronto headquarters later this month, with additional celebrations planned throughout 2026 across Canada and the United States.
As manufacturers across the contract furnishings industry continue navigating hybrid work, healthcare expansion and shifting tariff concerns, Global’s anniversary also serves as a reminder of the staying power of privately held, family-led furniture companies that continue investing heavily in North American manufacturing and dealer relationships.
“I am proud of what we have built at Global and to be able to carry on my father’s vision for the company,” Joel Feldberg said. “I can’t wait to see what’s next for Global.” |
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Spanish Manufacturer Actiu Expands U.S. Push as NeoCon Debut Signals Broader European Amititions
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Spain-based contract furniture manufacturer Actiu is ramping up its North American expansion efforts, actively recruiting established independent rep groups across the United States as the company positions itself for long-term growth in the increasingly competitive U.S. contract furnishings market.
The move comes as European manufacturers continue gaining traction with American dealers, designers, and specifiers searching for differentiated products with stronger sustainability credentials and design-driven aesthetics. Actiu joins fellow Spain-based furniture maker Andreu World, which has spent years building a loyal following among U.S. architects and designers and has become one of the more recognizable European brands operating in the American contract market.
Founded in 1968 in Castalla, Spain, Actiu has built a global presence across more than 90 countries while maintaining a vertically integrated manufacturing model that gives the company control over design, engineering, materials, and production. The manufacturer’s sprawling 150,000-square-meter campus holds both LEED Platinum and WELL Platinum certifications, a combination that is becoming increasingly valuable as sustainability and wellness standards become embedded into corporate and institutional furniture specifications.
The company also carries B-Corp certification, a designation that continues to gain visibility among A&D firms and end users evaluating environmental and social governance requirements during the specification process. For many rep groups and dealers navigating increasingly complex RFP requirements, manufacturers capable of backing sustainability claims with third-party certifications are becoming more attractive partners.
“We’re thrilled to grow our Actiu family of reps across the US,” said Ryan Featherston, Sales Manager for the U.S. “We’re just getting started, and we’re already getting a lot of great feedback from designers and specifiers across the country.”
Actiu’s product portfolio spans executive seating, soft seating, acoustic solutions, collaborative furniture, and workplace systems aimed at commercial office, hospitality, healthcare, education, and public space environments. The collection has been developed in collaboration with several well-known European designers and is tied together through the company’s “Feel Good. Work Better” brand philosophy.
The company’s U.S. expansion arrives at a time when international manufacturers are increasingly viewing North America as a strategic growth opportunity despite ongoing uncertainty in the broader office market. While domestic manufacturers continue to dominate large corporate accounts, European brands have steadily gained market share by emphasizing hospitality-inspired design, sustainability, and flexible collaborative environments.
Actiu plans to showcase its North American ambitions at NeoCon 2026, where the company will exhibit at The Mart on Floor 11, Suite 107. The appearance marks Actiu’s most visible push yet into the U.S. contract furniture industry and signals what appears to be a sustained investment in dealer relationships, specification support, and market development across the region.
For rep principals looking to diversify their line cards with internationally recognized brands, Actiu appears intent on positioning itself as a serious long-term player rather than simply another European manufacturer testing the waters of the American contract market. |
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KiSP Introduces KITS Assist, the Industry’s First AI-Assisted Sales Tool for Contract Furniture
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As artificial intelligence continues to creep into nearly every corner of the workplace industry, software provider KiSP is betting that the next battleground may be the earliest moments of the furniture sales process.
The company has launched KITS Assist, a new AI-driven capability inside its KITS Collaborator mobile sales platform that is designed to help dealers, manufacturer representatives, and furniture brands quickly generate visual concepts and preliminary budget pricing during client conversations. KiSP describes the tool as the contract furniture industry’s first AI-assisted sales platform specifically aimed at accelerating early-stage project discussions.
According to KiSP founder and managing director Rob Kendal, the platform was built around a familiar challenge in contract furniture sales: clients increasingly expect to see conceptual ideas and rough pricing immediately, often before a formal design process even begins.
“Early sales conversations often lead to a simple question for many clients: Can we see what this might look like and can you give an idea of the cost?” Kendal said in announcing the launch. “KITS Assist helps answer that question instantly.”
The new feature allows users to place furniture solutions into digitally rendered environments within minutes, helping sales teams present more polished concepts without needing to involve specification teams or designers during the initial discussion. One of the more notable capabilities allows users to upload photographs of a client’s existing office, remove current furniture with a single click, and digitally insert proposed solutions directly into the space.
The platform also supports imported CET Designer projects, giving dealers and reps another way to quickly add visual polish and presentation-ready imagery without requiring specialized rendering expertise. In an industry where speed-to-presentation increasingly matters — particularly as clients expect faster turnaround and more visual storytelling — the launch reflects a growing push toward lightweight AI tools that sit between specification software and traditional design workflows.
KiSP stressed that the intent is not to replace designers or dealership expertise, but rather to streamline business development and client engagement. Kendal said the technology is aimed at reducing new business acquisition costs while helping sales professionals spend more time on customer relationships rather than production tasks.
KITS Assist is now available as part of The KITS Collaborator platform, which currently allows users to mix products from more than 155 manufacturer catalogs to create concepts, pricing, and presentation materials during client meetings.
The launch also highlights a broader trend emerging across the contract furnishings industry as manufacturers, dealers, and technology providers increasingly look to AI tools to shorten sales cycles, simplify visualization, and make specification conversations more accessible earlier in the buying process. Whether the industry fully embraces AI-generated workplace concepts remains to be seen, but the race to bring faster visualization tools into the dealer showroom — and now directly into client meetings — is clearly underway. |
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COE Distributing Expands National Footprint with New Charlotte Distribution Center
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COE Distributing is betting that speed, logistics, and showroom experience remain critical differentiators in the increasingly competitive office furniture market.
The nationwide office furniture distributor officially opened a new 225,000-square-foot Class A distribution center and showroom in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 30, a move that expands the company’s total U.S. distribution footprint to 750,000 square feet and further strengthens its reach across the Southeast and beyond.
The grand opening event drew dealers, manufacturer partners, and industry professionals from across the region, offering attendees a firsthand look at the new facility’s expansive warehouse operations and contemporary showroom environment. COE used the event to showcase a range of workplace furniture solutions designed for today’s evolving office, education, and collaborative environments.
The expansion comes as furniture manufacturers and distributors continue investing heavily in supply chain infrastructure and regional fulfillment capabilities in an effort to reduce lead times and improve service consistency for dealers and end users. Charlotte, which has emerged as a major logistics and distribution hub in the Southeast, gives COE a strategically positioned operation capable of supporting faster delivery throughout much of the eastern United States.
According to the company, the new facility significantly enhances inventory capacity and operational efficiency while also creating a more immersive showroom experience for dealers and designers evaluating workplace solutions. The showroom is intended to serve as both a product display environment and a collaborative workspace where partners can explore applications, trends, and customized project solutions.
“The opening of our Charlotte distribution center represents a significant step forward for COE,” said Scott Nichols, executive vice president of sales, marketing, and product development. “This investment strengthens our infrastructure and allows us to better support our partners with the speed, service, and innovation they expect from us.”
The investment also reflects the broader trend of distributors and manufacturers repositioning their operations to support a more fragmented and regionally driven workplace market. As demand patterns continue shifting due to hybrid work, quicker project timelines, and growing client expectations around inventory availability, large-scale regional distribution facilities have become increasingly important across the contract furnishings industry.
COE distributes office furniture products nationally through its OfficeSource brand, as well as through a network of global sourcing partnerships focused on workplace, training, private office, and collaborative environments. |
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Interface Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
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Interface reported strong Q1 2026 results, with net sales of $331 million (+11.3% YoY, +6.8% currency‑neutral) and adjusted earnings per diluted share up 64%, driven by broad growth across product categories and key markets. The company raised its full‑year guidance, projecting FY2026 net sales of $1.45–$1.48 billion, adjusted gross margin near 39%, and continued focus on growth, margin expansion, and disciplined capital allocation while advancing its carbon‑negative goal for 2040.
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Investors have revived the century-old Howard Miller clock company in Zeeland, Michigan, after it announced plans to shut down, with a new ownership team led by J.C. Huizenga, Bill McKendry and Phil Poel appointing former vice president Jim O’Keefe as president. The relaunch will start with a curated line of classic designs and expand production through 2026, while retaining Miller family advisers and the Howard Miller Foundation to preserve the brand’s heritage and community impact.
The revival also raises questions about whether Howard Miller could once again explore the office furniture business, an area the company ventured into during the past decade as it looked to diversify beyond clocks and home furnishings. No word yet on whether the revived company plans to revisit that strategy as it charts its next chapter. |
|  www.mlive.com
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Michael Anastassiades announced the closure of his eponymous lighting brand after 20 years, reflecting on its evolution from personal experiments to a renowned portfolio that includes iconic pieces like the Tube Chandelier, Mobile Chandeliers, and the Tip of the Tongue collection, while emphasizing his desire to focus more on the creative process and explore new design directions. The studio will continue its regular operations, including limited‑edition furniture and collaborations, and a sample sale is scheduled in London from 14‑16 May 2026.
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|  www.wallpaper.com
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A fire at a major Texas chemical plant halted propylene oxide production, causing a 10‑20% rise in polyurethane foam prices that affect cushion costs in furniture. While foam accounts for only a small portion of overall product costs, the increase, combined with higher oil and freight expenses, is prompting manufacturers to raise prices, allocate supplies, and stockpile foam. Smaller makers worry about allocation limits, whereas larger firms can secure bulk purchases. Industry leaders remain hopeful that the plant will resume operations soon, anticipating a return to normal supply by mid‑year.
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|  businessofhome.com
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The national office vacancy rate fell to 17.8% in March 2026, marking a 210‑basis‑point year‑over‑year improvement, while vacancy levels varied widely across markets—Austin remained the highest at 26.3% despite a decline, whereas Miami and Manhattan posted low rates of 12.5% and 13.1% respectively, and San Francisco saw the largest drop of 540 basis points. Rental pricing stayed modest, with the average full‑service listing at $32.80 per square foot, led by Manhattan at $69.80 and San Francisco at $62.73, and development activity stayed limited, with only 0.4% of total office stock (29 million sq ft) in the pipeline and completions reaching 4.3 million sq ft in March.
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|  www.globest.com
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Office sales surged in 2025, with over $53 billion traded nationwide at an average $192 per square foot. Manhattan led in volume and price, highlighted by the $1.1 billion sale of 590 Madison Ave. and a record $1,290 per square foot deal for 165 Mercer St., while Washington, D.C. posted the highest single‑market volume at $4.8 billion. California markets also performed strongly, with the Bay Area reaching $5.2 billion and a $906 million transaction for 300 Lakeside Drive in Oakland.
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|  www.globest.com
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Vornado Realty Trust’s chairman announced that the office market downturn is over for prime buildings, highlighting strong Manhattan leasing activity, rising rents, and the scarcity of elite Class A space. The firm is advancing the 350 Park Avenue tower, acquiring stakes in trophy properties, and emphasizing that AI will boost, not reduce, office demand. While optimistic about demand and pricing, Vornado warns that political hostility toward wealth and development could pose risks to future investment.
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|  propmodo.com
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Los Angeles’ 2026 office leasing cycle shows a steady, multi‑year recovery, with new leasing reaching 17.2 million sq ft year‑to‑date, driven by tenants returning to in‑person collaboration and revenue‑focused engagement. While Austin leads with about 19.5 million sq ft, Los Angeles has closed the gap, surpassing Dallas at roughly 16 million sq ft and maintaining a significant advantage over Nashville’s 8.6 million sq ft, reflecting the city’s strategic importance and renewed leasing velocity.
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|  www.globest.com
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Vast’s 49,000‑square‑foot headquarters in Long Beach blends a sleek, minimalist design with a towering baobab tree under a skylight, echoing the diameter of a Haven‑1 module and symbolizing humanity’s drive toward space. The space features polished concrete, custom white‑oak doors, and a white‑gray palette that supports high‑performance work and reflects the aesthetic of future space habitats. Designed in partnership with the studio Civilian, the office aims to empower function through form, reinforcing Vast’s mission to create next‑generation space stations and foster innovation in the growing space‑tourism industry.
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|  www.fastcompany.com
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Community colleges serve a diverse, often commuter‑based student body whose time on campus is limited, making intentional, hospitality‑focused design essential for fostering connection and belonging. By creating welcoming micro‑territories, flexible gathering spaces, and sensory‑responsive environments, campuses can reduce friction, support varied social and academic interactions, and encourage students to feel owned and engaged, ultimately improving retention and overall student experience.
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|  news.millerknoll.com
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Working mothers in the U.S. are increasingly prioritizing flexibility, remote work, and affordable childcare over salary alone, leading Midwestern metros like Minneapolis‑St. Paul, Denver, and St. Louis to rank highest for mother-friendly employment due to strong job rates, remote‑work adoption, and lower living costs. Mid‑sized cities such as Portland, Maine, Des Moines, Albany, Syracuse, and Ogden also excel by offering affordable childcare, short commutes, and robust coworking infrastructure, highlighting that supportive local infrastructure—commute times, childcare, healthcare, and flexible work options—now drives where working mothers can thrive without burnout.
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|  allwork.space
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AI adoption is accelerating, with 78% of organizations using it in 2024 and investment soaring, while model costs plummet. The real competitive edge now lies in executing AI within workflows, training staff by role, and measuring impact, rather than merely possessing models. Companies that embed AI in processes, enforce disciplined governance, and focus on high‑value use cases gain productivity gains and trust, positioning themselves for sustained advantage.
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|  allwork.space
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Microsoft report claims AI agents will reshape organizations and redefine knowledge work
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Microsoft’s Work Trend Index predicts that AI agents will become embedded in everyday workflows, creating “frontier firms” where hybrid human‑AI teams replace traditional hierarchies. Employees will act as “agent bosses,” delegating tasks to digital colleagues, which is expected to reshape organizational structures, reduce headcount in some cases, and shift skill demands toward judgment, communication, and coordination. Early adopters who invest in AI literacy, governance, and integration are likely to gain a competitive edge, while leaders anticipate rapid adoption of AI agents within the next 12‑18 months.
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The workplace continues to be a source of relationships, study claims
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A recent YouGov study of over 2,000 German employees shows that physical workplaces still play a strong social role, with about one‑third having dated a colleague and more than 40 % reporting workplace flirting. Informal settings such as company events, break rooms, lounges and communal areas are seen as key venues for these interactions and are believed to boost team cohesion, prompting the upcoming ORGATEC 2026 trade fair to focus on designing workspaces that foster communication, collaboration and personal connections.
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Studio TK Integrates Plantd Materials to Advance Sustainable Innovation in Commercial Furniture
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Studio TK partnered with North Carolina‑based Plantd to incorporate the company’s renewable, high‑performance grass‑derived structural panels into its commercial furniture line, beginning with the Clique Luxe collection designed by Mario Ruiz. This collaboration highlights Studio TK’s commitment to responsible design, local sourcing, and sustainable innovation, offering adaptable, design‑forward pieces that combine durability with environmental awareness for workplace and hospitality settings.
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Hightower Joins Ecomedes, Making Sustainability Data More Accessible Than Ever
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Hightower has launched a free, dedicated sustainability portal on the Ecomedes platform, giving architects, designers, dealers, and project teams instant access to comprehensive environmental performance data for its entire product catalog. The portal enables users to search and filter products by certifications and eco‑labels, evaluate them against rating systems such as LEED v5, WELL, and the Common Materials Framework, generate detailed Eco Impact Summaries, and export documentation as PDFs or CSVs. All Hightower products are covered by certifications—including Indoor Advantage Gold, B Corp, and various EPDs—and the portal consolidates this data to streamline sustainability documentation and support greener building projects.
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HON partnered with HBF Textiles to add 20 new upholstery options to its SoCo™ modular seating line, giving designers more texture, depth, and color choices for flexible, contemporary workspaces. The expanded collection enhances personalization across projects while maintaining SoCo’s adaptable modularity, and the partnership also makes the new textile options available throughout HON’s broader product portfolio.
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|  officing.com
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Lapella, Encore’s newest lounge seating collection, blends modernist architectural design with soft, residential comfort through an exposed metal frame and upholstered cushions. Available in lounge, love seat, and sofa models, it offers flexible metal finishes and upholstery options suitable for lobbies, lounges, and collaborative spaces. Developed with 5D Studio, the collection emphasizes careful detailing, balanced aesthetics, and versatile styling for various environments.
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|  www.officing.com
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Móz Designs introduces new Statement Columns that combine layered metal construction with integrated lighting options—including reveal, base and capital, and RGBW backlighting—to create highly customizable, visually striking architectural elements for a variety of commercial spaces. The system offers flexible material finishes and dual‑layer configurations, allowing designers to achieve depth, texture, and dynamic illumination while staying within budget and design intent.
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|  www.officing.com
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Carnegie launches two new Xorel Luxe upholstery patterns, Barts and Lucia, as part of the Eden collection. Both are made from renewable sugarcane, are bleach‑cleanable, stain‑resistant, and free of harmful chemicals, offering high durability (60,000 double rubs, 2,000 hours lightfastness) for indoor and outdoor use. Barts features bold, chevron‑style geode textures in five hues, while Lucia provides a subtle linen‑like weave in six earthy tones. The products meet numerous sustainability certifications, including Cradle to Cradle Gold and Oeko‑Tex 100, reinforcing Carnegie’s commitment to eco‑friendly, high‑performance commercial textiles.
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|  www.officing.com
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The side table showcases a striking tensegrity design made from pipes, joints, and thin rope, creating a visually appealing yet stable piece of furniture. Inspired by the inventive work of PipePipeDIY, a Japanese creator known for pipe-based contraptions, the table blends artistic creativity with engineering principles, offering a unique and eye‑catching addition to any space.
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|  www.core77.com
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Hans J. Wegner’s iconic GE‑258 Daybed, designed in the 1950s, features a beech frame with a concealed rear shelf that slides out to reveal storage space for bedding, and its backrests hinge to expose the full sleeping surface. Produced by Danish manufacturer Getama and manufactured into the 1960s, the piece remains highly sought after today for its timeless mid‑century modern design and durable construction.
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|  www.core77.com
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MVE‑Collection, a Paris‑based studio founded by architect Vincent Eschalier and designer Mattéo Lecuru, transforms construction‑site waste—especially reclaimed bricks—into distinctive furniture pieces by joining them with molten metal and sanding the surfaces. Their approach highlights material reuse, giving each piece a unique history while encouraging architects to consider waste as a resource for design.
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|  www.core77.com
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The people deciding the future of your company... aren't talking about the workplace. And it's costing more than anyone realizes. Not in real estate-but in performance. In this episode of What the F* is Happening to the Office?, Phil Kirschner explains why the workplace has become one of the biggest blind spots in modern organizations-and what leaders are getting wrong.
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|  www.youtube.com
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NeoCon 2026 / DesignDays 2026
June 7-10, 2026 | 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. For 2026 NeoCon is introducing a special preview day on Sunday, June 7th, from 12-4 PM. All NeoCon attendees and exhibitors are invited to visit on Sunday.
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This year's NeoCon theme, "Where Design Connects," emphasizes innovation and resilience in the built environment. Keynote speakers include Jessica O. Matthews, who will discuss the personal impact on innovation; Nick Foster, who will challenge future assumptions; and David “Shingy” Shing, who will explore the evolving relationship between technology and design. Registration for the event opened on February 3, 2026, and the event will feature seven exhibition floors, highlighting a new focus on lighting through the "Illuminate at NeoCon" initiative.
Joining at the same time, in Fulton Market is DesignDays, a compatible show that now hosts more than half of the largest office furniture manufacturers. Hint: See both.
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Clerkenwell Design Week
May 19 - 21, 2026 | London, UK
Clerkenwell Design Week will take place from May 19–21, 2026, featuring a mix of new and established venues, along with an international presence in EC1. The event promises to transform the area into a hub of design, architecture, and creativity, showcasing the best of both international and UK design through exhibitions, immersive installations, talks, and showroom events. New venues include "The Luxury Edit" at Haberdashers' Hall and workplace products at Goldsmiths'. Additionally, a new CDW app will launch, assisting visitors in planning their experience by providing access to badges, maps, and event information.
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Humanscale Living and Resource Furniture Redefine the Modern Home Office at Afternoon Light
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Humanscale Living and Resource Furniture teamed up for a four‑day activation at Afternoon Light during NYCxDesign, showcasing a curated collection of ergonomic, space‑saving home office solutions that run from May 16‑19, 2026. The exhibit highlights Humanscale’s premium seating and workstations—such as the Diffrient Lounge, Freedom 25 chair, and eFloat Quattro desk—paired with Resource Furniture’s multifunctional pieces like the Ella & Louise wall‑bed/sofa, demonstrating how thoughtful design can seamlessly blend comfort, functionality, and sustainability for modern hybrid‑work lifestyles.
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Scandinavian Spaces Presents: The Adventures of NeoCon
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As anticipation builds for NeoCon 2026 and Chicago Design Week, Scandinavian Spaces is taking a distinctly different approach to the annual contract furnishings spectacle inside THE MART. Rather than focusing solely on product displays and polished showroom installations, the company is turning its NeoCon presentation into a comic-inspired narrative experience designed to celebrate creativity, nostalgia, and the human side of workplace design.
Created in collaboration with illustrator Jeremy Todd, the concept follows two fictional designers, Lilith and Niles, as they navigate the energy, chaos, and culture of NeoCon. Through hand-drawn artwork and storytelling, Scandinavian Spaces is leaning into the idea that authentic creativity still matters in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.
The story begins outside THE MART, where the pair make their first decision of the show. “Where to first?” one asks. “Scandinavian Spaces. I heard they have coffee,” the other replies.
From there, the narrative unfolds through familiar NeoCon rituals that many in the design industry know all too well: crowded elevators, badge scans, showroom hopping, chance meetings, and the annual reunion atmosphere that has long made NeoCon feel less like a trade show and more like what many attendees jokingly call “summer camp for design nerds.”
According to the company, the showroom in Suite 366 is designed to feel less transactional and more experiential. Rather than presenting furniture as static objects, Scandinavian Spaces wants visitors to interact with the environment in a more relaxed and social way, reflecting the Scandinavian philosophy behind the brand’s “Color. Design. Life.” approach.
“Yes! Suite 366 for furniture & fika,” the characters say in another moment from the illustrated campaign, referencing the Swedish tradition of taking time for coffee, conversation, and pause during the workday.
That hospitality component will extend beyond the visuals. Throughout NeoCon, Scandinavian Spaces will once again operate its popular ScandiCafé, offering complimentary coffee drinks including americanos, cortados, cappuccinos, and lattes alongside cinnamon buns for attendees looking to recharge between showroom visits.
The company will also use NeoCon to introduce several new product launches spanning multiple workplace categories. Among the highlights are the Villhem lounge seating collection, Able occasional tables, and Sander bar and counter stools, all aimed at supporting increasingly flexible and hospitality-driven workplace environments.
The broader presentation reflects a growing trend across the contract furnishings industry as manufacturers compete not only on products, but on experiences and emotional connection. At a time when many NeoCon exhibitors are searching for ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded design calendar, Scandinavian Spaces is betting that storytelling, atmosphere, and a little Swedish coffee culture may resonate just as strongly as the furniture itself.
NeoCon 2026 runs June 7–10 at THE MART in Chicago, with Scandinavian Spaces exhibiting in Suite 366. |
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2026 Workspace Design Show - London
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Workspace Design Show 2026: Highlights from this year's event
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The 2026 Workspace Design Show in London’s Business Design Centre gathered over 5,300 attendees from 40 countries to showcase cutting‑edge workplace design, emphasizing the “Connected Realities” theme that blends physical and digital environments. Highlights included sustainable installations like the Circular Hub, immersive lounges by Peldon Rose, M Moser, and Gensler/Area, and a series of talks addressing hybrid work, technology, and human‑centred design, underscoring the event’s role in shaping the future of office interiors.
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Trends in Commercial Projects
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JRA softens the corporate edges of a Central London office
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John Robertson Architects revitalized the two‑floor workspace and double‑height reception at 20 Gresham Street, preserving the original travertine wall and extending its river‑bed motif through sculptural benches, bespoke furniture, and an art installation. Acoustic fabric ceilings, integrated metal service channels, and a new lighting strategy improve sound and ambience, while the basement adds wellbeing amenities such as bike storage, showers, and changing rooms. The design blends natural travertine, curated artwork, and modern technology to create a welcoming, hospitality‑inspired office environment.
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|  www.mixinteriors.com
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The project transformed a historic bank building on Munich’s Promenadeplatz into a contemporary, open‑plan workspace while preserving its listed status. Sensitive restoration removed old bank fixtures, revealing the original structural skeleton, and new interior fit‑out highlighted the building’s volumetric quality. Light lines run continuously across the room, amplified by mirrored surfaces, while warm, earthy materials and ochre‑coloured concrete elements create an intimate atmosphere. Handcrafted details, such as a concrete reception desk and freestanding coffee bar, emphasize material authenticity. Recurrent motifs like triangles and curves—drawn from the spiral staircase—unify the design, resulting in a spacious yet precise modern interior that respects the historic architecture.
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|  www.stylepark.com
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A co‑working space in Stratford, East London, transforms a former locomotive works into a lush, palm‑court‑inspired environment with an atrium, timber canopy, vibrant colors, and abundant plantings, offering diverse work zones from private offices to a relaxed lounge.
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|  design-milk.com
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Spencer Scott Pugh is a Virginia‑based tech creator, writer, and digital media strategist who runs a creator‑led media business focused on thoughtfully designed consumer technology. With a background in digital advertising and programmatic media, he blends creativity, marketing, and business in his content, which includes long‑form YouTube videos, a newsletter, and various social platforms. His work targets people in their mid‑20s to 40s seeking durable, intentional products and balanced work‑life routines. His current workspace features a curated mix of hardware, software, and plants, and he emphasizes the value of physical tools like a Time Timer for productivity. He structures his week with dedicated admin, filming, and content production days, prioritizing family time and intentional living.
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|  www.workspaces.xyz
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Cleary Gottlieb is downsizing its footprint to 475,000 sq ft at One Liberty Plaza under a 20‑year lease renewal, moving to newly redesigned floors while remaining the building’s largest tenant; the deal, the largest office lease signed in April, was brokered by Newmark, Cushman & Wakefield and Brookfield’s in‑house team.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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AT&T plans to build a new $1.35 billion headquarters on a 54‑acre campus in Plano, featuring 2.3 million sq ft of space, a 280‑foot cell tower, daycare, parking and a pedestrian bridge, with an anticipated move‑in during the second half of 2028; the project includes $20 million in economic incentives and a 65 % property‑tax rebate for 25 years.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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White & Case will lease 196,000 sq ft across 12 floors at Grosvenor’s 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, occupying about 94 % of the building after a two‑year renovation that adds new windows, a rooftop penthouse, lobby upgrades and a fitness facility, with completion expected in November 2028 and move‑in by December 2029. The renovation will increase the total space to 208,000 sq ft. The firm previously occupied 149,000 sq ft in a nearby building and will relocate from its current 701 13th St. NW location.
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|  www.bisnow.com
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The Michael J. Fox Foundation has moved its headquarters to 530 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, leasing 68,958 sq ft in a 26‑story building. The relocation represents a downsizing from its previous 86,000 sq ft space, with the lease price averaging $80 per square foot in early 2025.
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|  www.globest.com
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Henricksen Appoints New General Manager for Wisconsin
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Henricksen announced Emily Hurd’s promotion to General Manager for Wisconsin, where she will oversee sales, project management, design, and delivery, continuing the company’s growth and personalized service. Hurd brings extensive leadership experience from her tenure at Henricksen since 2015, a strong focus on collaboration and innovation, and active community involvement, reinforcing Henricksen’s commitment to client success and local engagement.
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HOK Names New Leaders to Chicago Office
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Paul Jacob has been appointed managing principal of HOK’s Chicago office, where he will lead strategic direction and operations alongside a senior leadership team that includes design, technical, marketing, and operations principals. Jessica Statz joins as director of Interiors, partnering with Neil Schneider to drive the interiors practice, while the firm’s co‑CEO Eli Hoisington highlights their combined experience as key to the office’s continued growth. Both leaders bring decades of industry expertise—Jacob from senior roles in Kansas City and St. Louis, including the $458 million Energizer Park project, and Statz from a national design firm with extensive commercial interiors experience—positioning HOK Chicago to expand its market presence and deliver large‑scale projects.
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A New Era of Leadership: IIDA Announces 2026-2027 Board of Directors
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The IIDA International Board of Directors for 2026‑2027 has been announced, naming Bill Bouchey as President and Mike Johnson II as President‑Elect, with Christina Gonano, Jennifer C. Graham, Natalie Hartkopf and several other senior members serving as Vice Presidents. The board will be inaugurated at the IIDA Annual Meeting on June 7, and the leaders bring extensive experience in commercial interior design, education, sustainability, and industry advocacy, reinforcing IIDA’s mission to advance design excellence, education, and professional community worldwide.
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Artcobell Expands Canadian Presence with Five New Dealer Partnerships
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Artcobell announced five new dealer partnerships across Canada, expanding its presence in the Canadian education market. The partners—YourSpaces (British Columbia), YourSpaces (Alberta), Schoolhouse Products Ltd. (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland), Nulook Office Solutions (Montreal, Quebec), and POI (Ontario)—will distribute Artcobell’s American-made school furniture to schools nationwide. This expansion aims to provide Canadian educators with high-quality, durable furniture designed for diverse student needs.
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Tremain is a commercial office furniture manufacturer based in Monterrey, Mexico, with more than a decade of experience designing, producing, and delivering workplace solutions for corporate environments across North America.
Unlike many brands in the market, Tremain is not an importer. We are a direct manufacturer, which allows us to maintain full control over design, engineering, production, and quality standards. Our vertically integrated process ensures consistent results, competitive pricing, and reliable lead times for large corporate projects. |
|  contract.careers
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