NeoCon, the American show dedicated to design and furniture, is a vantage point for trends emerging from the fusion of architecture and technology. Italian company Cavea Engineering was present as a partner of Akouo Acoustics, making it the perfect opportunity to delve into ideas, trends, and perspectives
We didn’t miss the chance to ask a few questions to Luca Dallaturca, CEO of Cavea Engineering, a remarkable Italian company specializing in multimedia design, technology furniture, and interior design. Upon his return from NeoCon (Chicago, USA, June 10-12), we gladly took advantage of Luca’s experience to get our own insight into this interesting event.
Q: First of all, Luca, can you tell us the reason for your presence at NeoCon?
LD: Gladly! At Cavea, we focus on multimedia design, acoustics, and the automation of chairs and tables. We attended NeoCon as a partner of Akouo Acoustics, a division of Sedia Systems, Inc., to present our acoustic simulation app designed for spaces with simple geometry, as well as our consultancy work for environments with more complex acoustic needs.
Q: Let’s talk about NeoCon: what kind of event is it?
LD: It’s somewhat similar to Orgatec and Interzum in Cologne and and to the former Contract division of the Salone del Mobile in Milan. It is heavily focused on furniture, design, and materials. Additionally, the American market it targets is centered around the needs of large companies, hotel chains, etc., rather than the public sector, which is more common in Europe.
Q: What type of companies participate in NeoCon? Who are the visitors?
LD: Companies that develop innovative and technological solutions, like us, or those offering materials, even from other countries, aiming to boost or start their business the United States. We mainly encountered operators, commercial networks, and architectural brands; among the exhibitors, there were also some Italian furniture companies. Buyers from large companies were also present.
Q: What interesting things did you observe at the show?
LD: Americans tend to focus on solutions: the big brands have a vocation for project management and multidisciplinary approaches, with great attention to acoustics and colors. The fair is centered on design for the entire office world. Essentially, the products we saw were concentrated in two areas: first, connectivity between terminals, laptops, and monitors on the desks of large open offices, especially since remote working has revolutionized the world of work; second, acoustic booths incorporating Ocular technology, which allows for video calls with the same perception as being in person. Moreover, the fair holds a highly coveted award, the Best of NeoCon, and the most interesting products we saw were on the award’s leaderboard.
Q: Any examples?
LD: I could mention bubl, the Gold winner of Best of NeoCon, an acoustic booth with an integrated touch monitor that allows you to adjust height and change settings. It features a USB-C cable to connect the laptop and turn it into a video conferencing center with a main monitor, built-in touch, microphone, speakers, and webcam, all easily isolating from the rest of the open space. Then there’s Smartdock by Clearspace Design, the Silver winner, a docking station with USB-C that allows you to connect one or two 4K monitors while also powering the connected PC. Additionally, Hat Collective with E5, a very well-made support for large monitors with a unique format. Finally, Ojmar US presented OTS20 Batteryless, an RFID electronic lock system for fitness lockers, offices, and universities that replaces the traditional mechanical key and requires no power as it can accumulate kinetic energy generated during opening and closing.
Q: Have you noticed a different approach between Europe and the USA regarding the combination of technology and design?
LD: NeoCon shows a greater integration between furniture and technology compared to European events. In the USA, there’s a focus on structural integration of these factors, with technology already included: architecture and design firms collaborate directly with major technology providers, from Microsoft to Cisco, aiming for perfectly integrated furniture and technology projects, whereas for us it is all fragmented, with subsequent integration work often not needed in the American market.
https://neocon.com/
