CREJ

22 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / December 2018 NeoCon 2018: Hospitality is Welcome at Work T oday’s mobile workstyles lift limitations on where work is done. To this end, organizations are focused on creating engag- ing environments that attract workers to the office. In re- sponse, the workplace has taken on a new life, incorporating ele- ments of residential and hospital- ity design to add comfort, function- ality and aesthetics for employees to collaborate, ideate and socialize. Immersive Planning, a Knoll Rev- olution Workplace™ planning para- digm from Knoll’s in-depth research, identifies five major shifts that are changing the way work is done: group- based work; hospitality and residential influenc- es; office as home base; abilities for employees to make the workplace their own; and a decreasing real estate footprint. Together, these considerations lead to an envi- ronment that blurs the lines between workspace types, enhancing interaction and connected expe- riences, and creating a sense of hospitality at every exchange. Commenting on what makes the best hospitality environments, Knoll’s Design Direc- tor Benjamin Pardo noted, “Welcoming materials, soft-touch points and up-to-date amenities are ex- pected. Companies are realizing the importance of creating a space that is truly inspiring to attract and retain the best talent.” Companies can create a sense of hospitality at every exchange. From soft and welcoming touch- points to highly flexible environments, this year’s showroom – Hospitality at Work – presents a new way of thinking about the office and a more wel- coming way to work. Knoll Inc., a constellation of design-driven brands and people celebrating its 80th anniversa- ry, presented Hospitality at Work at NeoCon 2018 – the annual contract industry trade show that took place in Chicago June 11-13. The Hospitality at Work Showroom exhibited five individually themed con- cepts, illustrating the power of hospitality in to- Jenny West Transformation Leader, Knoll Moving Forward Abundant plants and greenery bring the outside in. This space features a large, open footprint with areas to kick back and ideate