Obeya wins Best in Competition award
CHICAGO, June 10, 2019 -- The design industry recognized OFS and Carolina with top honors during NeoCon 2019, North America’s largest design exhibition and conference for commercial interiors. Obeya, Kasura, and LeanTo all won Gold in their respective categories and then Obeya went on to win “Best in Competition” across the entire NeoCon event.
“It was such an honor to not only be considered for Best of NeoCon, but to take home this prestigious award amongst so many other incredible product designs, it’s humbling, to say the least,” said OFS SVP Sales + Marketing, Ryan Menke. “It was never about designing for awards, but for solving for human needs. I have to admit, having the distinguished panel of judges recognize and validate the years of effort that we put into this solution feels really good. I couldn’t be more proud of our team. I feel like a proud parent.”
About Obeya
Designer: Webb Associates
Through the richness of wood, Obeya’s design was intended to simplify and define space. Spaces designed with intent, communicate expectations without precisely prescribing them. Obeya is a framework that brings settings and people together accordingly, based on the human needs of privacy and belonging.
“The design concept of Obeya is to define and simplify space within an open office, a space that will get used for all kinds of activities, flexible and agile, said designer Roger Webb of Webb Associates. “It makes a space designed for change, whether it is a huddle space for team collaboration; learning or training space; a sanctuary for relaxing and contemplation, a project space for inspiration, a library space for privacy and seclusion, all of which can support a mix for focus or flaring activities.”
Enclosed or open, acoustic or dynamic; flexibility, choice, and variety have been incorporated into Obeya so that its function can be defined by the end user.
“Obeya challenged us and pushed our capacities to extents that at times didn’t feel like we would make it to the finish line, but that’s what makes the Best in Competition victory that much sweeter,” said Director of Marketing, Molly Menke. “I’m so proud and honored to work with the most amazing people that are always willing to do whatever it takes to drive a project across the finish line. I have been so excited for the market to meet Obeya. Never before have I worked on a project that felt like embodied who we were more than this one, and it’s what I love most about Obeya. The intent was to have this be made of wood and not to shy away from or conceal the imperfections, but instead embrace the honesty and genuine nature of wood and what it naturally brings to the space.”
OFS won four 2019 Best of NeoCon Awards, presented by Contract Magazine, honoring the top new commercial interiors products introduced to the market.
- Best of Competition
- Best of Architectural Products (Gold)
- Best of Seating: Conference category (Gold)
- Best of Acoustical Privacy Modular Solutions category (Gold)
Other honors for OFS and Carolina include:
- HiP winners:
- HiP finalist:
- Metropolis Likes:
- My Resource Library:
- Best Product Binders by OFS
“As a company focused on the value of design, OFS and Carolina appreciate the recognition received from the various product award programs. That recognition is, in many ways, a validation of our hard work and investments in making our customers lives better through design.” - Stan Gray, Director of Healthcare
About NeoCon awards
The Best of NeoCon jury is composed of 41 contract interior designers and architects, and corporate, healthcare, and institutional facilities management executives who are responsible for selecting and buying furniture and furnishings for their specific organizations or clients. Seven jury teams visited The Mart showrooms and 7th floor booths to judge each product. Manufacturers and product designers had the opportunity to explain and discuss details of the product and answer jurors’ questions.
Eighty-three awards were distributed in the Best of NeoCon 2019 competition of contract furnishing products during NeoCon at The Mart. Eight Innovation Awards, six Editors’ Choice Awards, and a Best of Competition Award were included among the honor in the 30th annual competition. There were entries in 42 product and furnishing categories in the competition, presented by Contract magazine, and sponsored by NeoCon and The McMorrow Reports Facility Management; Design Insights.
About OFS
OFS is a family-owned contract furniture manufacturer dedicated to crafting experiences and products that contribute to places where people want to be. Founded in 1937, OFS provides furniture and logistics solutions for office, healthcare, education, lifestyle, government, and home office markets worldwide, offering seating products, tables, casegoods, and open plan products. OFS is based in Huntingburg, Indiana.
About Carolina
For over 70 years, Carolina has designed and manufactured quality furniture for customers around the globe. Founded in 1947, Carolina has constantly evolved their products and expanded their knowledge to meet the needs of tomorrow’s challenges, as well as today’s. Carolina is based in High Point, NC and was acquired by OFS Brands in 2007. Due to the unique connection to OFS, Carolina can also draw from their full offering of products designed for administrative working spaces.
Contact:
Aaron Estabrook, OFS
(812) 827-3386 | aestabrook@ofs.com
