A private workspace in the new showroom.
AIS, a manufacturer of commercial office furniture and seating based in Massachusetts, recently reopened its renovated New York City showroom located at 257 Park Avenue South in Midtown Manhattan.
Redesigned to reflect the evolving ways that people work, the 7,334-square-foot space on the third floor of a 20-story building erected in 1912 showcases the latest AIS products in a vibrant, open, light-filled environment.
The AIS design team worked with the Boston-based design team at NELSON, a global A&D firm, to create a new showroom that immediately engages guests. A reception area and welcome lounge feature the warmth of wood-grain materials in a pastel-finish palette inspired by new branding colors. Behind the reception desk, a natural moss wall – similar to the 20-foot-high green wall at AIS headquarters – emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability. LB Lounge seating and Volker cubes and nesting tables – both recently launched AIS products – provide visitors with comfortable seating and collaborative places to work.
LB Lounge seating and Volker cubes and nesting tables in the showroom’s welcome area, providing visitors with comfortable seating and collaborative places to work. Mounted on a wall: a unique masterpiece created by artist Rob Surette
Mounted on a wall in this area is a unique masterpiece created by artist Rob Surette specifically for the new showroom. The wall art represents the energy, motion and innovation of New York and was inspired by the city’s skyline and reflections in the water. The color palette was influenced by the finishes scheme and design elements, while the shape was created from the audio sound wave produced by the letters “AIS” when spoken.
On another wall near reception, a display features a variety of AIS task chairs, including the latest product, Devens, as well as the Bolton, Natick, Pierce, Stow, Triad and Upton chairs.
Colorful frames suspended from the ceiling showcase some of the vibrant hues offered in AIS’s line of graduated mesh for seating, creating a sculptural 3D feature in the middle of the showroom.
This area transitions into the main showroom space, which offers a variety of open-office vignettes, semi-private workspaces, a private office and a formal conferencing space.
“Our renovated showroom is alive and bright – showcasing the gamut of AIS products for all kinds of environments – offices, educational settings, healthcare spaces and more,” said Kait Kennedy, showroom manager. “The look is universal, current – it’s energized, but balanced with a sense of calm.”
Open-office products in the new showroom.
The AIS product lines in the new showroom also include Aloft, Calibrate Series, Divi, Matrix, and Oxygen. Displayed throughout are height-adjustable executive desks and tables.
Technology plays a large role in the new showroom. The lounge areas include popup power with USB plugs so phones can be recharged in these relaxed environments. Clamp-on power and power-through access doors are also featured.
The showroom doubles as an actual workspace for Kennedy and AIS’s three New York metro-area sales representatives. The showroom serves as a host site for the reps and for dealers across the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The formal conferencing space in the new showroom.
“Being an actual work environment in addition to a showroom, we’re able to engage our customers in meaningful conversation about their own space needs and help them to visualize possibilities,” Kennedy said.
AIS also has showrooms in Chicago and Washington, D.C., and at its headquarters in Leominster, Massachusetts.