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Interview: Perkins & Will

NeoCon will serve not only as the debut of our new collections, but also as the debut of our redesigned Chicago showroom. We spoke with Perkins + Will Design Director for the project, Tim Wolfe, and Project Designer Liz Potokar to learn about the space’s conceptualization and execution.

1.    What was the design goal of the new Stylex Chicago showroom?

a.    We wanted to focus on Share and its modularity and contextualize it in a modern office environment. Workplace trends are moving away from traditional settings and are now providing the freedom for people to work as they like.  The office trends we are seeing take place in three distinct areas: focus space, collaboration space, and social space. Share works especially well for the second two, where people can use the units to come together and work in a collaborative environment or share in a kind of ‘serendipity moment’ where they interact with other groups from the office, around social spaces. The new showroom demonstrates the breadth of Share by using its modularity in many different ways. We also designed a large wall graphic to show the product in the context of an office space.

2.    How did you create the wall graphic?

a.    We created a 3D model of the showroom space, which includes the Share product, and then modeled a virtual space adjacent to it, which included office workstations.  The wall graphic is a perspective view into this virtual space to show the Share product in an office context. I think it adds a really dynamic feel and a sense of greater space than there actually is.

3.    What’s your favorite feature of the showroom?

a.    I think there’s a great clarity to the design. Our team did a great job of understanding the breadth of the Share product, choosing sophisticated finishes for it, and demonstrating how many different ways it can work.

4.    What are some of the different ways you were able to use Share?

a.    There are two different heights, so towards the front, we use lounge height and then, we move up to task height with more of a meeting area. Share is also able to work in food areas, so near the bar in the showroom, we created banquettes. There’s an element to Share that has a higher screen, which is its most private execution, so we used that to create a collaborative zone in the back.

5.    How do you see the showroom as being distinct from others in the building?

a.    I would say for a small showroom, it feels spacious while getting in a lot of product. We give movement and circulation throughout to experience Share from all angles. We’re really trying to showcase the product in its best light.

6.    Other than Share, what are some other exciting features to the showroom?

a.    The serviceable coffee bar is a great touch. We also used SAVA, in the showroom as well as on the wall graphic, because it’s a signature product Stylex is known for. We tried to be playful with the brand, too, like the three-dimensional letters on a coffee bar shelf.