Highlights from NeoCon and Design Days 2025

Story at a glance:

• The 2025 NeoCon and Design Days in Chicago showed a growing demand for colorful, adaptable furniture solutions that are also designed for deconstruction.
• This year’s events took place at THE MART and across Fulton Market in June, with nearly 50,000 design-minded professionals in attendance.

NeoCon at THE MART and Fulton Market Design Days took over Chicago for another successful year June 9 through 11, 2025. It was the 56th NeoCon and the third annual Design Days, with plenty of excitement between the two big events, as shuttles offered quick transportation for the nearly 50,000 global design professionals in attendance.

At NeoCon, more than 450 exhibiting brands showed off innovative solutions across workplace, education, health care, retail, and hospitality. “NeoCon 2025 was a powerful demonstration of design’s impact and potential,” says Byron Morton, vice president and co-head of Leasing at THE MART. “The building was buzzing with bold ideas, brisk business, and meaningful networking. It’s where new ideas come to life, in real time under one roof.”

Design for deconstruction was a hot topic across manufacturers and designers this year—from easy-to-move, assemble, and disassemble street furniture from Green Furniture Concept to components that are easily separable and recyclable at the end of their useful life, like Andreu World’s Velo task chair.

These are just some of the latest sustainable furniture solutions we saw at this year’s events.

Andreu World celebrated its 70th anniversary with a new 20,000-square-foot showroom at THE MART. Velo was one of many exciting new launches at NeoCon.

Designed by Benjamin Hubert and his studio LAYER, Velo brings sophistication, ergonomics, and next-level sustainability to the task chair.

Hubert says it’s often interesting to design a task chair, given their proliferation, but he and Andreu World took a more human approach. Rather than designing for “productivity,” they designed for peace of mind. Yes, the chair goes up and down, the armchairs adjust, and it’s comfortable, but it’s also a bit softer and more crafted in appearance, he says.

“This is the way of the world at the moment. We live in an increasingly demanding, frenetic, anxiety-driven world, so why would you want anything that screams technicality and performance to do your job better and quicker in an office chair?” Hubert says.

Hubert and Andreu World—a carbon neutral and zero waste company—did the opposite. “All the mechanisms are hidden. All of the features are integrated. All the materials are tactile, warm, soft, and human.”

The chair also builds on what Andreu World has done for years, emphasizing sustainability. While the materials may be an expected combination of polymers, metals, and textiles that, like most products in this category, are manipulated to deliver the best functionality and performance, the design team worked to ensure Velo was lightweight, affordable, and able to be deconstructed at end of life. “You can take apart and you can replace every single component,” Hubert says. If the panel on the back breaks, you can pop it off to repair or replace. The textile itself is a sleeve—no foam—and is also easy to remove.

Long known in the senior living space, Kwalu is making a name for itself in health care. Acclaimed industrial designer Von Robinson of Play Orbit Studio teamed up with Kwalu to debut the Ellie Collection—a warm and welcoming seating series designed to inspire healing and connection.

“Think about the patient room. You walk into it, and it’s an alien environment. It’s a sterile, clinical space that’s specifically focused on what it has to do, which is preserve physical life,” Robinson says. “What we looked at contextually here was—how can we create health care furniture that complements the physical aspect that is being taken care of there? Because we know that if we can address the emotional, the aspirational, the spiritual, the cognitive, it will help you do what everyone wants to do. Every stakeholder in the space wants the same thing—shorter length of stays, faster recovery, better health outcomes. I consider this therapeutic.”

As a research-driven multidisciplinary design studio Play Orbit Studio visited Cleveland Clinic and other health care systems to do observational research before setting out to design Ellie. They also talked to many nurses, Robinson says.

While traditional health care spaces have often felt fairly cold and quite literally rigid, Ellie was designed to bring life and movement into the space, with curved elements and biophilic language. “We thought about dignity, and we thought about destigmatizing the experience,” Robinson says. “Dignity in sitting, dignity in sit to stand, dignity in transfer.”

Robinson has firsthand knowledge, too, recalling his own time in the hospital before his father passed away, and how the health care recliner did not support his father; he leaned to one side. That’s bad for a patient’s physical and mental health, he says. “It’s just undignified to put someone in a chair like that.”

The Ellie has passive lateral support, so anyone who doesn’t have core strength is still supported. “A lot of health care recliners don’t have lateral support in them, and the ones that do, it’ll be like a puff pad running down on both sides, sort of like in an automobile. It’s pointing the finger, like, ‘You’re the one who needs that.’”

When they thought about destigmatizing the recliner, they landed on how they could develop something better—a shell with passive lateral support.

Robinson has been designing for nearly 30 years, almost half of which is in health care. He was previously the principal designer at Steelcase Health, where he specialized in sensing technologies and human-object interaction. He’s also designed for high-end Italian companies and Swiss watches.

Ellie reflects this expertise through an emotionally attuned non-medical aesthetic that reduces anxiety, improves cognitive function, and supports patient autonomy. The recliner, specially integrated with footrests that tuck under the seat for optimal sit-to-stand positioning, further encourages patients to transition out of bed—contributing to improved health outcomes and faster recovery.

The recliner also offers a full complement of modern clinical features, including integrated push bars, IV pole holders, transfer arms, and even heat and massage options.

Leading flooring manufacturer Tarkett is pushing for even more joyful designs for educational spaces. Tarkett’s latest series aims to foster happiness and playfulness while promoting calm and focused learning.

Among the manufacturer’s newest offerings is book two of Grounded Harmony from the Layered Duality collection. Grounded Harmony adds 20 colors for educational environments, with color accents ideal for wayfinding, zones for learning activities, and more.

From bright, mood-boosting hues to peaceful neutrals, Grounded Harmony’s new colors are at home almost anywhere. From a sustainability standpoint, these looks are available on carpet tile with Tarkett’s ethos and Flex-Aire Modular carpet tile backings.

Ethos is made with up to 79% recycled content, and the backing is non-PVC and Cradle to Cradle–certified Silver. Ethos contributes to the circular economy by being fully recycled back into itself through Tarkett’s ReStart take-back and recycling program.

Flex-Aire carpet tile combines durability with acoustic and underfoot comfort—ideal for design for well-being. Its construction also helps ensure liquids and soil stay at the surface, making for easier cleaning and less maintenance.

Pallas Textiles launched its new Reve Collection, designed and crafted entirely with the industry’s first biodegradable performance vinyl—Hyphyn—to rave reviews. The Reve Collection includes seven patterns and is Hyphyn’s most extensive offering to date, all designed to biodegrade by more than 90% within two years in landfill conditions, leaving behind no microplastics or toxic residues.

Géraldine Blanchot Fortier, designer of the collection, is passionate about her role in designing the nature-inspired collection. The French word “Reve” means dream in English. “I grew up in Paris, and for me the collection embodies the idea that you can dream of a better tomorrow,” she says.

While Pallas has long been sustainability-minded, they started to share their successes and story more widely several years ago. This year they decided to take their work even further with biodegradable vinyl. Fortier says it’s the first of its kind in the industry that’s able to perform at every level. “Within two years 90% of that material will be completely gone,” she says, pointing to its biodegradable attributes if you were to throw it out. “This is a product you don’t need to worry about because it’s no longer going to exist when you decide you no longer want it. I think that’s looking toward the future.”

Fortier has a long background in painting and textiles that is clear when you see the looks. Each of the seven patterns in the Reve Collection are inspired by elemental forces—sun, wind, water, and earth. The palette of mineral tones and earth-washed neutrals brings warmth to contemporary interiors across sectors, while the biodegradable construction meets a growing demand for conscious materials.

“It’s not just a material, but it’s a movement,” says Dean Lindsley, vice president of Pallas Textiles, pointing to how Pallas works to make their dream a reality. “How do you close the loop within a system where every product has an end of its life cycle? And what are we doing to change the end result?”

The innovative, Chicago-based acoustics solutions manufacturer Turf did it again at this year’s NeoCon. They were the talk of the week, as they outfitted THE MART’s elevators with their new Wood Textures collection for a calming, aesthetic ride up to the showroom floors. Those craving a bit more excitement could ride a select freight elevator to experience a DJ and more of a party vibe. Similar to past years, Turf also incorporated top DJs into their new 18,000-square-foot location on the 10th floor of THE MART to combine acoustics and aesthetics.

Turf’s Wood Textures Collection introduced three new patterns—Rift, Rotary, and Flat—to emulate the artistry and variety of wood veneer cuts and pair with the Turf-exclusive Hues palette.

Rather than mirroring traditional wood grains, the new patterns are digital, artistic interpretations, drawing inspiration from different cuts of wood or veneer. Each pattern has defining characteristics; Rift is more delicate and subtle, while Rotary is bolder with larger burls and knots. Flat falls between the two cuts, with moderate movement and more depth, shading, and knots.

“As we continue to develop our Textures collections, our goal is to provide designers with the perfect tools to easily incorporate elements of nature and high-quality acoustics into their spaces,” said Rob Perri, president of Turf. “Our first collection of Wood Textures launched this approach. We built on it further with our exclusive Hues palette and Stone Textures, and now we’re proud to leverage that foundation with the transformation of Wood Textures into a dynamic, color-forward line.”

Designers can now choose from 96 texture options within Wood Textures. Patterns are printed onto 9mm (at least 60% pre-consumer recycled content) PET felt using black water-based, UV-cured ink.

gb&d got a sneak peek of Interface’s new Stellar Horizons collection, launching in August, as part of Design Days in Fulton Market. The designer for Stellar Horizons also does a lot of the designs for Flor, another Interface company known for its compelling and even playful looks.

“This collection is really inspired by outer space,” says Erin Jende, director of marketing strategy and activation for Americas at Interface, a top flooring manufacturer who’s also led with sustainable designs since its founding. With names like Meteor, Lunar Landing, and Endless Orbit, the collection provides out-of-this-world looks at home in any space, from hospitality to commercial to residential.

Styles like Endless Orbit were inspired by the striations of Jupiter, while Lunar Landing is a nod to all things celestial, from the blue color seen just beyond twilight to the deep black of the midnight sky.

Interface also won Best Small Showroom at this year’s 2025 IIDA Showroom and Booth Design Competition, announced during NeoCon and Design Days. From the moment we entered the doors to Interface’s Fulton Market space we were on a journey through history, beginning with a nod to fashion—complete with inspiring textiles, dress form, and vintage newspapers. It was all part of the energy around Dressed Lines—Interface’s latest carpet tile collection, available now. Dressed Lines captures the essence of mid-century modern design, harkening back to Anni Albers, Charles and Ray Eames, and Florence Knoll, to name a few.

“The common thread that brings you through the space is rooted in inspiration to the past,” Jende says. “And then as we get further to the back [of the showroom], we’re looking a little bit more to the future frontier. It’s like an intergalactic outer space.”

7. New Indoor Seating by Green Furniture Concept

Inspired by the Nordic archipelago, Green Furniture Concept unveiled a new concept for public spaces at this year’s NeoCon. The Malmö-based manufacturer is transforming how people feel in public spaces while reimagining seating as a modular concept. The latest collection is set to be available in fall 2025.

As with everything this Swedish company does, Green Furniture Concept uses nature as its guide. Like all of their products, the new bench seating is built for longevity and low environmental impact. It features recycled aluminum, plastics reclaimed from fishing nets, and wood treated with VOC-free finishes. Every element is modular, replaceable, and easy to maintain and move.

“One of the main things for us is that it should be easy to maintain. It should be easy to change,” says Per Lindsjö, CEO at Green Furniture Concept. You can find their smart solutions everywhere from the University of Michigan to Keflavik International Airport and Stockholm Central Station.

The new collection has six modular elements, from flowing seating to integrated planters and bins. Double-curved bent plywood gives the pieces a fluid, sculptural form, while the absence of visible screws and bolts emphasizes visual calm. The entire concept is designed to scale, from creating cozy seating nooks to anchoring grand layouts, all while maintaining a timeless design language.

All wood elements are 100% certified from responsibly managed forests and treated with Rubio hard wax oil, with no VOCs. Aluminum components are made from at least 75% recycled aluminum and finished with powder coating free of substances on the SIN list. Plastic components are 95 to 100% recycled, including material sourced from discarded fishing nets.

8. Cogni by KI

KI’s Cogni Classroom received a 2025 Silver Best of NeoCon award. Judges highlighted its heel wheel feature for added safety, a wide range of ergonomic seat heights (Pre-K through higher ed) and nearly 30 standard color options, with custom Pantone matching available at no extra cost when minimums are met. Photo courtesy of KI

KI has long been known for its purposeful furniture design. Most recently they unveiled Cogni—a new comprehensive seating solution designed to boost student engagement. The Cogni Task Chair is aesthetically pleasing while comfortably adapting to user movements.

The Cogni chair was designed to integrate gentle movements. While young learners are known to struggle to sit still, Cogni subtly supports their natural inclination toward motion, enhancing attentiveness without disruption. Featuring patented heel-wheel technology for controlled mobility, tactile sensory surfaces, and adaptive seating, Cogni keeps students grounded and engaged.

“Cogni is important because it solves several classroom problems,” Jason Lazarz, KI’s A&D market leader, previously told gb&d. “First, it’s comfortable. The frame provides a bit of flex, so it doesn’t feel rigid under the body. There’s a sensory feature underneath the seat that adds a tactile, self-soothing element. And our patented heel-wheel feature makes the chair impossible to tip, which is a real concern in classrooms.”

Cogni adapts to any classroom aesthetic and accommodates learners of all sizes. It features cantilever chairs (14 to 18 inches), four-leg chairs (12 to 18 inches), task chairs, task stools, and four-leg cafe stools.