It’s time to create new ideas, be agile and make things happen faster than ever. It’s time to find inspiration in every corner and accomplish more than you thought possible. We all know work has changed and that means the places where we work need to evolve. At NeoCon 2018, Steelcase will open the doors to a brand new Chicago WorkLife experience.

Designers have reimagined part of the third floor of the Chicago Merchandise Mart to showcase a range of spaces and brands. Steelcase, Coalesse, Turnstone and our partners will now be together in one place to give people what they’re seeking — broad choice over how they want to work. In addition, an embedded layer of technology will elevate the performance of individuals and teams in our Smart + Connected Workplace.

So, while some things will remain under wraps until the doors officially open on June 11, 2018, we wanted to give you an exclusive look at some of what you can expect.

The Steelcase Design Studio, led by James Ludwig and Cherie Johnson, worked with Joey Shimoda and Susan Chang, co-founders of Shimoda Design Group, to redesign the Chicago WorkLife for the first time since it opened in 2008. The east end of the third floor of the Chicago Merchandise Mart is now a vessel to share a broad Steelcase portfolio and also serves as a work space for the company’s Chicago employees.

Designers crafted two distinct areas in the new space. The Steelcase WorkLife is where last year the company won best large showroom at NeoCon. This year, new products, new work environments, and a rich and diverse range of wood and architectural solutions will support residents. This is where the Smart + Connected Workplace is most visible. Steelcase products and services, apps and devices improve the experience people have at work while simultaneously providing utilization data to help organizations make the workplace better (see below).

In the Steelcase WorkCafé, a large range of applications and aesthetics engage people — letting them choose the space that works best for them. These more informal spaces bring together Steelcase, Coalesse, Turnstone and our partners to support people when they need to collaborate, socialize, focus or rejuvenate.

In addition, Steelcase Health and Steelcase Education have been redesigned and expanded. To improve experiences and overall health outcomes, Steelcase Health highlights spaces that merge design with clinical relevance, helping these environments feel more welcoming. Spaces and products that show flexibility, provide greater choice, and meaningfully-integrated technology is displayed to meet constantly changing healthcare needs.

To support learning wherever it happens, Steelcase Educationhighlights a variety of spaces that are active, flexible, and can scale across the campus for the evolving needs of students, educators and institutions. Designers bring teaching and learning to life in spaces designed for privacy, focus, collaboration and creativity – with technology meaningfully integrated.
Designtex is also opening a new location on the third floor.

CELEBRATING OUR PARTNERS

The Steelcase partners will play a prominent part of the inspiring and inviting spaces in the WorkCafé. Steelcase partners add to the company’s extensive portfolio offering expanded design options, easily accessed through the largest dealer network in the industry. This collaboration with some of the world’s best brands will be on display at NeoCon.

SMART + CONNECTED WORKPLACE

What was once the future, is now reality. As the workspace becomes smarter and more connected, it’s now possible to know how well spaces are working, how often they are being used and whether they meet employees’ needs. NeoCon visitors will experience real-world demonstrations of:

Workplace Advisor – Suite of space measurement and analysis tools that provides data and insights on space usage – revealing opportunities to improve the workplace and elevate employee performance.
Live Map – Built on the Workplace Advisor Platform, Live Map lets people orient themselves to a space and immediately see what is in use and what is available.
Steelcase Find – The app allows employees to quickly find and easily reserve the best space to meet or work, on demand.
Steelcase Rise – Pair the app with your height-adjustable desk to inspire movement and a new level of personalization.

In addition, the power of the partnership between Microsoft and Steelcase will be on display in spaces designed to boost creativity and performance.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

New ways of working require new, innovative solutions. New designs, new materials and new finishes will be on display throughout the showroom. SILQ, a breakthrough in office seating design created using a patent-pending process, will be displayed in an experience celebrating its innovation, artistry and performance. New from Turnstone, Clipper privacy screens and Campfire Pouf put choice and control into the hands of employees — giving them the power to create environments that work for them. And, Answer Fence and Beam brings lighter-scale desking options to the open-plan.

Seven new global accent colors from Steelcase will bring more color to the workplace. The new Color, Pattern and Materialcustom capability programs from Coalesse will showcase easier ways for designers and customers to express their vision. In the age of plurality, it’s the right time to expand the choices of designers and customers and empower them to customize their workplace.