This year’s NeoCon Conference was a full-sensory experience; and, for the team at Circadia, it delivered inspiration on every floor. From biophilic walls to boundary-pushing acoustic installations, the event made one thing clear: the future of workplace design is adaptable, inclusive and emotionally attuned.
One of the biggest moments for Circadia’s team was the debut of Steelcase’s new showroom in Chicago’s Fulton Market. “That was a big reason why I attended,” said Christy Steinbrueck, Director of Marketing, Circadia. “Steelcase has a brand-new showroom at the Fulton Market…that was pretty exciting for us to explore the new products and finishes.”
The Fulton Market district has emerged as a vibrant design destination, offering a fresh complement to the longstanding influence of the Merchandise Mart in showroom innovation. The presence of Steelcase there felt elevated and intentional. “It was just a really lovely showroom,” Steinbrueck reflected.
If there was one word that echoed through every showroom and product debut, it was flexibility. Nowhere was that more evident than in the evolution of pods—enclosed, often mobile workspaces that offer privacy without cutting people off from the energy of the office.
“Pods are the name of the game,” said Claire Bowker, Business Development Manager at Circadia, reflecting on how these adaptable spaces are redefining the open office. Today’s workplace is designed to let people focus, recharge or connect—without feeling isolated. Many of these solutions are grounded in Steelcase’s research into community-based workplace design, which blends collaborative zones, quiet spaces and lounge-like workstations.
“If there’s one element that’s become central to open office design, it’s the pod,” added Steinbrueck. “Flexibility and pods haven’t gone away—they’re absolutely at the forefront.” These compact environments function as both heads-down focus areas and decompression spaces within larger, shared offices.
And it’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about function and well-being. “It’s really more about offering privacy,” Steinbrueck noted. “I’m in a pod right now with a desk, having this conversation, because I can’t do that at my regular workstation. Having a place to step away—we’re seeing that a lot.”
Nature made a big impression this year and not just as décor but as infrastructure. Biophilic elements like living walls, natural wood tones and organic materials were everywhere, bringing calm to spaces designed for productivity.
“There weren't just a few potted plants. Entire walls were living, breathing focal points,” Danelle Marsden, Ed.D, Vice President of Furniture Sales, Circadia, noted. Many showrooms embraced a soft, spa-like aesthetic, layering plum tones, warm neutrals and velour textures to evoke a sense of calm and connection.
One standout moment? A leather-patch ottoman that formed a floral motif; the entire team was impressed by its unexpected, detailed and deeply tactile nature.
The transformation of the conference table into a collaborative, hybrid-friendly hub was another key takeaway. Steelcase’s Ocular Collection moves away from traditional rectangles in favor of shapes that support eye contact and equity, especially critical when a monitor is part of the conversation.
“No one is at the head of the table anymore,” said Marsden. “It’s designed so everyone can see and be seen, virtually and in person.”
The integration of USB-C ports, projection tech and mobile power into everyday furniture showed how far the industry has come in accommodating hybrid work. One upcoming innovation hinted at a new generation of portable power solutions, reviving Steelcase’s legacy Flex Power concept with more function and flexibility.
Sustainability continues to be more than a buzzword, it’s a business imperative. Steelcase led the conversation with a new showroom in Fulton Market and an ambitious Net Zero Transition Plan. Already operationally carbon neutral, their additional goals are bold, including:
Their approach, known as Circular Design, emphasizes longevity, disassembly and reuse. Task chairs are now being built with double the recycled content, reducing embodied carbon by 35%.
Other manufacturers making waves in sustainability included Bentley Mills with a LEED-certified carpet mill, and Andreu World, whose seating designs are crafted from recycled and renewable materials.
Design wasn’t just shown, it was felt. In Turf’s NeoCon 2025 acoustic installation, attendees wandered through a maze-like showroom where music shifted from one zone to the next. It was more than an acoustic demonstration, it was a sensory experience designed to make you pause, listen and explore.
This immersion was echoed across the event. “There’s something about being completely surrounded by this level of innovation,” Bowker reflected. “You walk away energized and full of ideas.”
Another clear thread running through NeoCon was the rise of inclusive design, especially in education and healthcare.
In educational spaces, products are being developed to better support neurodiverse learners; features include soft surfaces, calming palettes and built-in tools for self-regulation. Classrooms are becoming more flexible, with thoughtful storage, safe zones and features that allow all students to participate without overstimulation. These aren't just trends; they are gaining traction thanks to growing state support for early education centers.
In healthcare, the conversation is shifting toward comfort in care. “People want to walk into a space and feel safe,” said Marsden. That means furniture that supports both body and mind, with soft textures, calming colors and trust-building layouts.
Expect more innovation on this front during the upcoming Healthcare Design Conference in Kansas City this September.
Across showrooms, one idea kept coming up: design is shifting toward emotional intelligence. Whether through biophilic calm, inclusive layouts or sustainable storytelling, products are now judged not only by how they look but also by how they make people feel.
The team agreed, NeoCon was a reminder that when design meets real human needs, it’s not just innovative, it’s meaningful.
Learn more about Circadia’s approach to flexible, empathetic workplace design at circadia.com.