In this issue… acquisitions expand Kingspan Acoustics, Elements and Samuels Group, while Boss Design adds coastal representatives and Forward Space grows prefab interiors. Haworth renews in Manhattan and Atmosphere unveils its Worklab. Leasing and rents rise in major office markets as furniture demand grows and skilled-trade shortages threaten construction. JLL champions in-person work, while AI reshapes collaboration and careers. Chicago’s niche coworking spaces, Common Desk’s neighborhood approach and WeWork’s fitness offerings spotlight community and wellness. We explore hospitality-inspired offices, technology confidence and ergonomics beyond the desk. Product highlights include Teknion and Okamura’s Flotte chairs, Blu Dot’s Pinny sofa, Hightower’s Kona additions, Roan lounge seating, AMÌES and Loll outdoor furniture, EF Contract carpet tiles, Shaw porcelain, and Designtex velvet and wallcoverings.
|
| |
|
|
|
WeWork’s latest data shows that companies are expanding their office footprints, with small businesses leading the growth at a 14.8% increase in seats. Overall, 80% of companies maintained or grew their space, and footprints rose in 14 of the 20 major markets, notably London (26% growth). While average agreement sizes changed little, the number of seats per company increased, and on‑demand reservations rose 20.4% year over year, highlighting continued demand for flexible workspace across all company sizes.
|
| Read more > |
|
|
|
AI and automation will reshape the U.S. labor market, cutting demand for about 36 million jobs while creating roughly 41 million new roles by 2035. Around 11 million workers (≈7 % of the workforce) will need to switch occupations, often into fields like healthcare, construction, and management, with many requiring new credentials. Geographic mobility, skill gaps, and the need for on‑site work pose major challenges, while cities compete to attract talent through education and investment initiatives.
|
| |
|
|
|
“From a plain efficiency point of view, and if we generalize, it’s clearly more efficient to have people in the office than if they work from home.”
- Christian Ulbrich, CEO of JLL
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Kingspan Acquires Unika Vaev, Expanding North American Acoustics Business
|
|
Kingspan has acquired Unika Vaev, the Connecticut-based designer and supplier of decorative acoustic products for commercial interiors, adding an established presence in the North American architecture and design market to its acoustics business. Terms were not disclosed.
Unika Vaev will continue to operate from Connecticut under its existing leadership team. The company said its design approach, service model and relationships with its national network of independent sales representatives will remain unchanged.
Founded in 1975 as a supplier of design-led contract textiles, Unika Vaev expanded into decorative acoustic products in 2013. Its business serves architects, interior designers and commercial clients with standard and custom solutions, including support through specification, product development and installation.
The acquisition brings Unika Vaev into Kingspan Acoustics, a division of Kingspan Group whose brands include Troldtekt, the Danish manufacturer of cement-bonded wood wool acoustic panels. Troldtekt has manufactured those products in Denmark since 1935.
For Kingspan, the deal expands its access to North American designers and specifiers while broadening the acoustic materials available across its portfolio.
“Unika Vaev has done something rare in our category. It brought acoustic products to market that architects want to show rather than hide,” said Michael Heeager Nystrup, managing director of Kingspan Acoustics. “That is where this market is going and it is where Kingspan through its Acoustics division intends to lead.”
Nystrup said Kingspan plans to invest in Unika Vaev’s team and design approach, while giving the company access to the division’s acoustic expertise.
Wick Wolfe, president of Unika Vaev, described the acquisition as a natural progression for the business, citing a connection between the company’s Danish name and Kingspan Acoustics’ center of expertise in Denmark.
“Unika Vaev has always been about design equal to performance, with design first,” Wolfe said. “For our customers and our representatives, nothing changes today. What Kingspan Acoustics brings is stewardship, and a team of people who do nothing but acoustics.”
The companies said the combination will offer specifiers a broader range of acoustic solutions, with an emphasis on appearance, performance and supporting environmental documentation.
Kingspan Group, founded in 1965, supplies insulation and building envelope systems. The company reports 273 manufacturing facilities and operations in more than 80 countries.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Elements has acquired Colorado Springs-based OS |
|
|
Elements has acquired Colorado Springs-based OS | Schools and OS | Offices, extending its southern Colorado presence and adding K-12 education and government expertise as merger and acquisition activity continues across the commercial furniture dealer community.
The acquisition gives Elements a broader regional platform, with the combined companies fielding teams across northern Colorado, Denver, southern Colorado and Wyoming. Financial terms were not included in the announcement.
For Elements, the transaction advances a strategy centered on geographic expansion and a more diversified customer base. OS brings established relationships in education, government and commercial environments, complementing Elements’ capabilities in commercial furnishings, workplace strategy, experiential design, prefabricated construction and flooring.
“The last several years have made us much more intentional about how we grow and diversify our business,” said Traci Lounsbury, CEO and owner of Elements. “This acquisition adds an experienced team, deepens our expertise in education and government, and strengthens our presence in a market where we see significant opportunity, while building a more resilient business for the future.”
The deal adds to continued consolidation among dealers seeking broader market coverage and specialized capabilities. Earlier this year, Atmosphere Commercial Interiors acquired Acre, citing education and public-sector growth as priorities, while MOI acquired Accent Commercial Furniture to extend its reach into Upstate New York. Those transactions, along with Elements’ latest acquisition, illustrate how dealers are using M&A to expand both where they operate and the markets they serve.
Elements sees Colorado Springs as a growth opportunity, pointing to the city’s concentration of aerospace, defense and cybersecurity employers. The company also plans to combine the organizations’ government sales expertise to pursue additional business through the General Services Administration across the region.
K-12 is another central piece of the strategy. Elements said the acquisition strengthens its ability to serve clients across learning and workplace environments, adding education expertise as it continues to diversify its business.
“Joining Elements gives us the opportunity to build on what has made OS successful for decades while bringing additional resources and capabilities to our team and customers,” said Peter Husak, owner and CEO of OS | Schools and OS | Offices. “We know this market, we know our customers and we’re excited about the opportunity to grow from an even stronger foundation.”
OS | Schools and OS | Offices will retain their names for the foreseeable future. Leadership and day-to-day operations are expected to remain largely unchanged.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Samuels Group Acquires Creative Business Interiors, Expands Wisconsin Furniture Business
|
|
Samuels Group has acquired Creative Business Interiors, bringing two Wisconsin furniture operations together under the Creative Business Interiors name and expanding its reach across the state’s commercial interiors market.
The acquisition combines Creative Business Interiors with Samuels Group Furniture Solutions. The combined business will serve as Samuels Group’s furniture and workplace interiors division, with offices in Wausau, Madison and Milwaukee and team members covering Appleton, Eau Claire and La Crosse.
Creative’s affiliation with Herman Miller will continue through the combined organization’s status as a MillerKnoll Certified Dealer, providing customers access to Herman Miller, Knoll and the broader MillerKnoll portfolio. Creative became an authorized MillerKnoll dealer in June 2022.
Rebecca Gaylord, Creative Business Interiors’ former owner, will remain with the organization as vice president of furniture for Samuels Group, leading the combined furniture division.
“Creative has built an outstanding reputation, a talented team and strong client relationships throughout Wisconsin,” said Sid Samuels, president and owner of Samuels Group.
Samuels said Gaylord’s continued leadership and the combined teams’ experience would help the company build a stronger statewide furniture organization.
The division will serve corporate, healthcare, education, government and other markets, offering workplace strategy, interior design, furniture, project coordination, installation and ongoing service.
The acquisition also gives Creative access to Samuels Group’s construction, architecture, facility planning and project delivery capabilities, broadening the resources available to clients undertaking workplace projects.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Forward Space Expands Into Interior Construction With Falkbuilt Branches in Chicago and Milwaukee
|
|
Forward Space has launched Falkbuilt branches serving Chicago and Milwaukee, broadening the Steelcase dealer’s capabilities beyond furniture and into prefabricated interior construction. The company also named Dennis Foote director of operations, Interior Construction Solutions, to help develop the business.
The expansion gives Forward Space a larger role in commercial interiors projects across workplace, healthcare, education and other markets. It adds Falkbuilt’s interior construction offerings to the dealer’s existing planning, design, procurement, project management, installation and maintenance services.
Falkbuilt uses its Digital Component Construction approach and Echo cloud platform to coordinate projects from design through manufacturing and installation. The company says the process can shorten schedules, reduce onsite disruption and material waste, and accommodate future changes to a space.
For Forward Space, the new branches create an opportunity to coordinate furniture and interior construction through a single local team, giving the dealer a broader scope in projects where budgets, schedules and future adaptability shape purchasing decisions.
Foote brings more than 28 years of experience spanning commercial interiors, construction, manufacturing, design, branding and business development. His recent work has focused on interior construction and architectural solutions involving Steelcase and Falkbuilt, collaborating with clients, designers, contractors and vendor partners.
In his new position, Foote will help grow the Falkbuilt business in both markets and strengthen Forward Space’s broader Interior Construction Solutions practice. His responsibilities include providing technical support, developing processes and coordinating partners to help sales professionals, designers and project managers take projects from planning through installation.
“Expanding what we can build together means giving our clients more options for creating spaces that perform today and adapt over time,” said Jenny Niemann, president and CEO of Forward Space. “Falkbuilt broadens what Forward Space can deliver, and Dennis brings the technical experience and operational leadership needed to support this next stage of our growth across Chicago and Milwaukee.”
Forward Space is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise and authorized Steelcase dealer with a network of more than 300 vendor partners. The Falkbuilt branches extend that offering, positioning the company to handle more of the interior project alongside its furniture business.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Atmosphere Moves Headquarters to Hopkins, Bringing Omni Brands Together in New Worklab
|
|
Atmosphere Commercial Interiors has relocated its headquarters from downtown Minneapolis to Excelsior Crossings in Hopkins, Minnesota, creating a Worklab that combines its working office with a setting for clients to see workplace strategies in practice.
The move, effective October 1, brings together teams from Atmosphere and the broader Omni Workspace network, including Aurora Procurement Solutions, Meso Built, Emerald Blue, Turnkey Project Solutions and Omni shared services. The space gives the affiliated businesses a shared destination while showcasing their capabilities to clients and the architecture and design community.
Studio BV served as design partner, Gardner Builders as construction partner and JL Commercial Services as project management partner. CBRE led the site search.
For Atmosphere, the project centers on a question many of its clients face: what makes an office worth coming to?
“In designing our new Worklab we were clear that we wanted to create an experience that could not be replicated remotely,” said Carlene Wilson, CEO and president of Atmosphere. “We were very purposeful in creating a Worklab that stimulates collaboration, mentoring, learning, and innovation… bringing people together and strengthening their connections, while reinforcing one Omni culture.”
The Worklab also serves as a demonstration of how workplace strategy, furniture, design and technology function together in an occupied office. Atmosphere and Studio BV developed a range of settings intended to support choice, flexibility, wellbeing and performance, giving visitors a look at how those concepts translate into daily work.
“Our clients and partners will experience what dynamic collaboration, connection, and hybrid work looks like in real life,” said Jessica Volkenant, regional vice president. “It demonstrates best practices of how people, purpose, and place can come together.”
Volkenant said the variety of settings is intended to introduce clients to possibilities they may not have considered for their own workplaces. Architecture and design partners can also use the Worklab as a resource, bringing clients through the space, accessing its design library or hosting events in community areas.
Atmosphere, a subsidiary of Omni Workspace and a multiyear Steelcase Premier Partner award recipient, serves corporate, healthcare, education and hospitality clients. In addition to its Hopkins headquarters, the company has offices in Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
|
| |
|
|
|
Haworth renewed a 10‑year lease for 30,365 sf on the second floor of SL Green’s 125 Park Ave, highlighting the building’s proximity to Grand Central, recent lobby and elevator renovations, and a 99% occupancy rate; representatives from Cushman & Wakefield and SL Green handled the agreement.
|
|  nyrej.com
|
|
|
|
Christian Ulbrich argues that office work remains essential for learning, collaboration, and productivity, emphasizing that in‑person interactions generate far greater benefits than remote work despite occasional flexibility. He highlights JLL’s own modern, sustainable London offices as a model, noting the company’s strong financial performance, its commitment to adaptable yet high‑quality workspaces, and London’s status as a global hub attracting diverse talent.
|
|  allwork.space
|
|
|
|
|
Global Office Furniture Market Projected to Reach $90 Billion by 2034
|
|
The global office furniture market is projected to reach $90 billion by 2034, up from $67.8 billion in 2025, according to IMARC Group. The forecast calls for a compound annual growth rate of 3.19% from 2026 through 2034, adding roughly $22 billion in market value as employers invest in ergonomics, flexible workspaces and sustainable products.
Seating accounted for 35.3% of the market in 2025, while wood held a 53.2% share by material. Direct sales remained the largest distribution channel at 42.1%, and the low-price segment represented 44.8% of sales, underscoring continued price sensitivity. Asia Pacific led regional demand with a 36.5% share, supported by corporate office expansion, small-business growth and infrastructure investment.
IMARC identified height-adjustable desks, ergonomic seating and modular systems for hybrid offices and coworking spaces as key growth opportunities, alongside recycled materials and connected furniture. Competition among manufacturers including Steelcase, MillerKnoll, Haworth, HNI and Humanscale is focused on design, sustainability, customization and distribution reach. Mature markets and shifting office space requirements could temper growth, keeping pressure on suppliers to balance workplace upgrades with buyers’ budgets.
|
| |
|
|
|
The U.S. faces a widening shortage of skilled trade workers as construction demand climbs, with retirement, low training completion rates, and stricter immigration enforcement reducing the labor pool. Demand is especially high for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, and fiber technicians, driven in part by rapid data‑center growth. To meet the need for 1.7 million new workers annually through 2035, industry groups and companies are expanding trade education programs and promoting skilled‑trade careers.
|
|  allwork.space
|
|
|
|
San Francisco’s office market is experiencing a strong surge, driven by AI and technology firms that have boosted leasing activity to 12.1 million sq ft through Q3 2026, putting the year on track for one of its best performances in decades. Rising demand has pushed average asking rents to $70.31 per sq ft (up 5.1% YoY) and class A rents to $76.13 per sq ft, while overall vacancy fell to 27.2% as larger tenants seek spaces of 100,000 sq ft or more, further tightening inventory.
|
|  allwork.space
|
|
|
|
Manhattan office leasing is booming, with new direct lease rates rising 28% year‑over‑year to $99 per square foot and average base rents up 23% to $120 per square foot. Peak rents reached $375 per square foot, and year‑to‑date leasing volume is 10.4% higher than the previous year, marking the second‑best third‑quarter pace since 2014. Both Class A and Class B/C properties now generate comparable net effective rents despite a $10 per square foot gap in base rents.
|
|  www.globest.com
|
|
|
|
WeWork’s recent research shows that, despite a decline in the number of member companies, average office footprints grew in Los Angeles (up 12.7%) and Washington, D.C. (up 9.8%), driven largely by enterprise members whose space usage increased dramatically. Other markets like Boston and Chicago also saw modest footprint growth.
|
|  www.globest.com
|
|
|
|
Common Desk is reshaping Dallas workspaces by integrating flexible office solutions with the unique character of each neighborhood, offering everything from private offices to coworking memberships that adapt to businesses of any size. This approach not only provides affordable, scalable work environments but also fosters community connections, driving local economic growth and allowing companies to thrive without the constraints of traditional long‑term leases.
|
|  www.dmagazine.com
|
|
|
|
WeWork is adding Tonal connected strength‑training equipment to nine U.S. locations—three sites in Northern California, two in Southern California, two in Seattle, one in Portland, and one in Austin—offering members the ability to reserve time with the devices through on‑site community teams. The partnership also provides discounts, giving WeWork members $1,000 off a Tonal purchase, employees $1,250 off, and Tonal members 25% off WeWork On Demand bookings, positioning fitness amenities as a key component of workplace wellness.
|
|  allwork.space
|
|
|
|
The study shows that feeling in control of workplace technology boosts wellbeing, productivity, and mood, while lack of control leads to frustration and anxiety. Most people feel only moderate control, with a small minority fully confident. Physical hardware remains important, and gamers report higher confidence. Attitudes vary globally, with higher optimism in some countries and lower in others, especially regarding AI. Many would use more automated tasks to improve personal wellbeing.
|
|  workplaceinsight.net
|
|
|
|
Chicago’s rising office vacancy is fueling a boom in specialized co‑working spaces that blend work with amenities like climbing gyms, dog parks, childcare, and wellness facilities. Operators repurpose empty floors to offer flexible, experience‑focused environments, attracting startups, remote teams, and families. This shift is reshaping the commercial‑real‑estate market, prompting investors to prioritize adaptable, community‑driven workspaces over traditional empty towers.
|
|  www.chicagotribune.com
|
|
|
|
AI is accelerating the shift to remote and hybrid work by enhancing flexibility, productivity, and customer service, leading many employees and leaders to prioritize AI investment over traditional office amenities; surveys show strong support for AI-driven remote work, expectations that AI will make offices less essential, and a growing demand for AI tools, training, and guardrails to sustain talent and operational efficiency.
|
|  allwork.space
|
|
|
|
Integrating hospitality‑inspired amenities—such as flexible workspaces, biophilic design, indoor‑outdoor areas, full‑service restaurants, fitness centers, lounges, and event‑ready rooftops—transforms modern offices into vibrant community hubs that boost tenant satisfaction, retention, and premium rents while generating additional revenue streams and supporting employee well‑being and productivity in hybrid work environments. The Penn District example demonstrates how these features accelerate leasing, increase rents, and create year‑round revenue opportunities through event spaces, illustrating a sustainable model for building owners to enhance ROI and foster a healthier, more connected workplace.
|
|  officeinsight.com
|
|
|
|
Working in ancillary spaces like lounges, focus areas, and other non‑adjustable environments requires small, proactive adjustments to maintain comfort and posture. Since furniture often lacks adjustability, using pillows, ottomans, or other supports can help keep feet flat, back supported, and head upright, while regular movement breaks reduce strain on the spine, neck, and shoulders. Additionally, positioning laptops on stable surfaces, managing screen glare, and taking frequent posture checks—such as ensuring relaxed shoulders and balanced body alignment—enhance focus and long‑term well‑being in these flexible work settings.
|
|  www.haworth.com
|
|
|
|
The next generation of office design is moving toward hospitality‑inspired, flexible environments that prioritize comfort, personalization, and wellness. Designers are blending café‑style spaces, warm lighting, tactile materials, and residential‑level amenities such as showers, spa suites, and private pods to create inviting workplaces that support diverse work styles and lifestyles. This shift is driven by client demand for adaptable, experience‑focused offices that foster collaboration, reflect company culture, and connect to the local context, while also integrating technology and “in‑between” zones that encourage human interaction and well‑being.
|
|  officeinsight.com
|
|
|
|
Teknion and Okamura have teamed up to launch the Flotte chair collection, featuring refined, floating designs for conference and meeting spaces. The line includes high‑ and mid‑back models adaptable to various room types, offering a consistent aesthetic across different environments. Inspired by the gentle wrapping of Japanese confectionery, the chairs emphasize simplicity, lightness, and a subtle presence. Flotte debuted at Design Days in Chicago and is now available for purchase.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
Hightower expands its Kona Seating Collection with three new options—Kona Slipcovers, a Kona Bench, and gator‑clip connections—allowing designers to reconfigure, renew, and extend the modular furniture’s life. The additions maintain Kona’s comfort, durability, and sustainability standards, offering quick‑delivery options, a 10‑year warranty, and certifications that support commercial use and circular design.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
Blu Dot, Note Design Studio, and Kvadrat Febrik have created Pinny, a modular sofa collection launching in 2027, featuring the Mylla knitted textile made from 100 % post‑consumer recycled polyester. The three‑piece system is endlessly configurable for residential and commercial spaces, combining soft, sculptural form with sustainable, tactile upholstery. The collection debuted at Blu Dot’s Chicago showroom on October 6, showcasing the collaborative blend of furniture design, textile innovation, and playful branding.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
Inspired by Aldo Leopold’s modest bench design, Loll Designs, in partnership with Argenta Park, created “Here and There,” a modern outdoor collection that reimagines classic American aesthetics. Made in the USA from recycled HDPE, the line blends timeless form with comfort, durability, and sustainability for contemporary outdoor living.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
The AMÌES collection by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti offers architecturally clear outdoor furniture, featuring a refined aluminium frame with supportive sling seats for lasting comfort across seasons. The range includes dining chairs with arms, lounge chairs with ottomans, sun loungers, and versatile tables—both rectangular and round—plus low and high side tables, all built with robust, weather‑resistant materials and nylon glides for intensive outdoor use.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
The Roan Lounge Chair, inspired by Paul Poiret’s original design, features a solid wooden frame and a generous seat that creates a compact yet roomy chair. Its clean lines, structured arms, and balanced profile offer comfortable relaxation without excess, highlighting a modern reinterpretation of classic elegance.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
Designtex launches Alto, a versatile, soft-to-the-touch velvet available in a full spectrum of colors, from bold hues to subtle neutrals. Made with 66% post‑consumer recycled polyester, the fabric is bleach‑treatable, durable, and sustainably produced, offering a luxurious look and feel at an accessible price for various projects and budgets.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
Designtex introduces three new woven wallcoverings—Beacon, Aria, and Lyra—featuring Crypton® Wall backing for bleach‑cleanable, stain‑resistant performance, ideal for high‑traffic hospitality and contract spaces. Each product offers distinct texture: Beacon with multi‑colored twisted yarn, Aria with soft chenille accents, and Lyra with refined tape yarn, all in neutral palettes for sophisticated, durable interiors.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
Shaw Contract’s new Monumental porcelain tile collection mimics marble’s natural veining and color shifts, offering large-format, rectified glazed tiles in four coordinated colors and sizes for both wet and dry interior and exterior applications, ideal for hospitality and commercial spaces.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
EF Contract’s new Conveyance Collection introduces two complementary modular carpet tile patterns—Metro, a precise, grid‑inspired design that structures pathways and supports wayfinding, and Vista, a larger, organic pattern that adds softness and visual expansion. Together they form a flexible system for dynamic work and learning environments, while each can also stand alone, offering durability and performance across commercial, educational, retail, and residential spaces.
|
|  www.officing.com
|
|
|
|
A collaborative limited-edition watch, the DEFY Chronograph USM – TimeForArt Unique Piece, combines Zenith’s El Primero 400 movement with a mirror‑polished dial featuring USM’s signature colors, housed in a 37 mm stainless‑steel case and paired with a bespoke USM Haller sideboard that can store 24 watches. Created for the 2026 TimeForArt benefit auction, the piece will be sold at Phillips New York on December 5, 2026, with all proceeds supporting the Swiss Institute’s programs.
|
|  www.buyingtime.news
|
|
|
|
A versatile, portable furniture piece designed by Taiwanese industrial designer Hsinhung Chou, offering a compact table‑height surface for tasks like gardening, picnicking, and repairs, conceived for limited urban balcony space and currently a concept seeking a production partner.
|
|  www.core77.com
|
|
|
|
Ettore Sottsass’s 1977 Valigia desk lamp, revived by Stilnovo in the 2020s, breaks traditional lamp design by using four legs to support the light head without a counterweighted base, featuring a top handle like a suitcase. While the modern version updates the lighting to LED, it retains the cord and lacks a rechargeable battery, missing an opportunity to fully realize Sottsass’s portable, cordless vision.
|
|  www.core77.com
|
|
|
|
Orgatec 2026
October 27-30, 2026 | Cologne, Germany
ORGATEC is the global industry meeting point for everyone who is rethinking and shaping the worlds of work and contract. Every two years, leading brands, experts, and an international trade audience come together in Cologne. Under the guiding theme "From rooms to relationships: designing spaces in an ever-changing world", the focus is on people – and on how spaces in times of change are redefined.
ORGATEC 2026 is a chance to see how the future of work is taking shape—from hybrid and AI-enabled workplaces to healthier, more flexible, and sustainable commercial spaces. Attendees can explore leading international brands, discover European products and concepts not yet widely available in North America, and gain practical insight through talks, guided tours, and interactive programming. It’s also a valuable setting to meet global manufacturers, architects, designers, and workplace decision-makers in one place.
|
| |
|
|
|
Design at Work New York 2027
March 10-11, 2027 | New York City
Design at Work New York is designed to attract a highly targeted audience of architects, interior designers, workplace strategists, developers, occupiers and commercial decision-makers actively shaping workplace and commercial interior projects.
Learn more >
|
|
|
|
|
|
NeoCon 2027 / DesignDays 2027
June 13-16, 2027 | 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 2027 NeoCon is officially a 4-day event beginning on Sunday, June 13, 2027.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 65th Salone del Mobile.Milano, scheduled for 13–18 April 2027 in Rho Fiera Milano, will emphasize industry, international business and emerging markets, introducing new initiatives such as Salone Contract—a dedicated platform for the growing contract market that offers spaces for meetings, presentations and networking, and partnerships with PwC for market research. Additional highlights include the return of Euroluce with a focus on technology and sustainability, an expanded Salone Raritas showcasing limited‑edition design, and the continuation of SaloneSatellite supporting young designers, all complemented by a global World Tour to strengthen international connections and position the Salone as a year‑round hub for business development and collaboration.
|
|  www.interiordaily.com
|
|
|
|
|
Trends in Commercial Projects
|
|
|
|
|
The new MLS headquarters in Manhattan blends soccer culture with office design, featuring a tunnel entrance, stadium‑inspired lobby, and a “midfield” core that unites departments. TPG Architecture incorporates game‑related motifs—such as cleat displays, trophy showcases, and fan‑styled installations—using fluid forms, LED lighting, and a palette of white, silver, and black to reflect the sport’s energy while fostering collaboration and brand identity throughout the 126,000‑square‑foot space.
|
|  design-milk.com
|
|
|
|
A Manhattan cocktail bar designed by Josh Greenspan and USM uses the USM Haller modular system to create a sleek, navy‑blue interior with 18 seats, featuring a dark walnut bar, burgundy upholstery, a wavy pendant light, and a curated omakase cocktail menu.
|
|  www.dezeen.com
|
|
|
|
A surreal, neon‑infused 3,600 sq ft workspace in Kolkata transforms a former warehouse into a playful office and showroom for children’s clothing brand Doreme, featuring fluid, rounded workstations, oversized sewing‑kit elements, vibrant colors, and flexible display areas that blend production and exhibition under a lime‑green canopy.
|
|  www.mixinteriors.com
|
|
|
|
TP Bennett transformed Linklaters’ new London headquarters into an open, amenity‑rich workplace for 2,500 employees across 18 levels, using insights from a pilot programme to balance collaboration, concentration and confidentiality. Desks line the perimeter for natural light, while central rooms provide private spaces, and each floor features libraries and breakout areas that encourage interaction and quiet work, all finished with warm timber, soft lighting and a muted colour palette that reinforces a calm, gallery‑like atmosphere.
|
|  www.mixinteriors.com
|
|
|
|
Daniela Muntyan, a product designer at Figma, shares her workspace setup, highlighting her three Herman Miller Sayl chairs, an Apple Studio Display, and various personal items like books, art, and a lamp. She explains how the new display improved her workflow, recommends the chair for comfort, and mentions plans to better organize her inspiration boards and replace a temporary IKEA lamp.
|
|  workspaces.xyz
|
|
|
|
*SPREADSHEET FOR SALES* https://geni.us/AhnestlyPrimeDay26 Amazon Prime Day is here! These are the best chair and tech sales that DON'T suck.
|
|  www.youtube.com
|
|
|
|
ARBREST COVE redesigns ergonomic chairs to fit women’s body proportions, offering adjustable seat, lumbar support, armrests, headrest and a dual‑tier footrest, along with movement features like forward tilt, recline and a 12‑zone micro‑motion backrest; the chair debuted at IFA Berlin 2026, won a Best of Design award, and emphasizes comfort, inclusivity, and practical details such as hairstyle‑friendly headrests and fingertip controls.
|
|  youtube.com
|
|
|
|
Seward & Kissel renewed its lease for 171,112 sq ft at Rudin’s 1 Battery Park Plaza, making the building 99 % occupied and highlighting continued momentum in Downtown Manhattan’s legal office market despite short‑term competition from tech firms. The lease, the largest in CBRE’s latest Q3 report, underscores strong demand for sizable legal spaces, while overall market renewals fell 33 % and rents averaged $62.40 per sq ft.
|
|  www.globest.com
|
|
|
|
|
Humanscale Strengthens International Leadership with Key Appointments Across Europe and Asia Pacific
|
|
Humanscale announced senior appointments to strengthen its international leadership, adding Katrin Lauer as Sales Director for the DACH region and three new leaders across Asia Pacific: Ambroise d’Hauteville as Regional Director for Greater China, Hajime Hikino (not shown) as Sales Director for Japan, and Giles Poppleton as Managing Director of Global Accounts for APAC. These hires bring extensive experience in design, furniture, real‑estate and workplace solutions, enhancing Humanscale’s ability to grow and support customers in key European and Asian markets while reinforcing its commitment to ergonomic, human‑centred, planet‑positive products.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Indiana Furniture Partners with IOS to Service Michigan
|
|
Indiana Furniture has partnered with Interior Office Source (IOS) to serve Michigan, leveraging IOS’s local market expertise and 75+ years of combined experience to provide sales, design, space planning, project management, installation, and consulting services, enhancing customer support across corporate, education, healthcare, architecture, and government sectors.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
COE Distributing Named a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Top Workplace for Seventh Consecutive Year
|
|
COE Distributing, a fully employee‑owned office furniture manufacturer, has earned its seventh consecutive Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette Top Workplace award, ranking No. 24 among small companies and among the top 95 workplaces regionally, highlighting its people‑first culture, strong leadership, and commitment to teamwork.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
NEWH, Inc. to Award $57,500 in Scholarships During BDNY 2026
|
|
NEWH, Inc. will award $57,500 in scholarships across four BDNY 2026 events, recognizing students in hospitality design and management and honoring industry leaders, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Landscape Forms Named by Fortune and Great Place to Work® as a 2026 Best Workplace in Manufacturing & Production™ for a Seventh Year in a Row
|
|
Landscape Forms has been recognized by Fortune and Great Place to Work® as a 2026 Best Workplace in Manufacturing & Production for the seventh consecutive year, highlighting its people‑first culture and long‑standing commitment to design, craft, and employee satisfaction. The company’s leadership attributes this honor to the dedication of its team, its innovative, culture‑driven approach, and its legacy of delivering premium outdoor solutions worldwide.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
The Design Drop Launches on SURROUND Podcast Network, Offering Candid Career Advice for the Next Generation of Designers
|
|
A new podcast, The Design Drop, launched on SURROUND Podcast Network, hosted by Caroline Murphy and sponsored by Haworth, offers candid career advice for emerging designers through weekly episodes featuring industry leaders and creatives, sharing real stories, practical takeaways, and insights into building a design career.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Herman Miller Commissions Tag Christof to Explore the Changing Landscape of Palm Springs Modernism
|
|
Herman Miller opened its largest North American retail location, Herman Miller Palm Desert, featuring the Hot Line exhibition by photographer Tag Christof, which examines how modernist architecture in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley evolves through preservation, adaptation, and climate challenges. The exhibition, alongside the store’s design archives, flexible gathering spaces, and community programming, invites visitors to reconsider iconic modernist buildings as living works that continue to inspire and serve contemporary needs.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Ask Stephen - You’re Too Busy for BDNY. Who’s Talking to Your Clients?
|
|
Stephen advises salespeople to attend BDNY, emphasizing the networking value, potential client leads, and industry insights, especially in hospitality and outdoor furniture, while recommending strategic meeting planning and openness to unexpected contacts.
|
| Read Stephen's Latest Column > |
|
|
|
|
Independent Representatives Wanted
|
|
Segis USA has openings in several key markets for Independent Sales Representatives.
We offer excellent commission rates and fulfill orders from our facility in Morristown Tennessee. You will be supplied with a sample program and compelling literature.
|
| See Job Opening > |
|
|
|
Exterus Business Furniture a regional Teknion dealer with offices in Shelburne, VT and Portland, ME has an immediate opening for an experienced designer. CET and 2020 experience required. Great team environment with excellent company support.
|
| See Job Opening > |
|
|
|
|
|
