Chicago—The 54th edition of NeoCon, the commercial building industry’s major trade show event, kicks off here this week at the renowned Merchandise Mart. Since 1969 the show has served as a leading platform for the commercial design industry and boasts myriad learning, networking and educational opportunities for attendees and exhibitors alike across nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space.
Within the world of flooring, leading commercial suppliers are set to unveil their latest innovations designed to empower the design community within all market segments—including hospitality, healthcare, education, government and more. New product launches will also cross flooring categories and offer up solutions in myriad materials. Following is our NeoCon Preview 2023, a sneak peek of some of those new introductions.
AHF Contract: Sheet
AHF Contract Mixed and Variegated Homogeneous Sheet Flooring offers a selection of 19 popular colors combined with an innovative coating technology, resulting in a floor that is both eye-catching and built to last. Homogenous vinyl flooring uses a single layer to add vibrancy and color depth. In addition, it delivers incredible durability and stain resistance to withstand heavy commercial use.
Armstrong: Natralis
Natralis homogeneous vinyl sheet flooring is being introduced by AHF Products under the Armstrong Flooring brand. Natralis is inspired by the landscapes of North America and the mesmerizing spot patterns found in nature. The warm and cool neutrals—combined with earthy tones and pops of vibrant colors—draw inspiration from the beauty of natural life and landscapes, creating a space that is designed to be both serene and invigorating. Its coating is designed to resist soil, stains, scratches, scuffs and abrasions, and it is easy to heat weld and flash cove for spaces demanding optimal infection control. The product is also built to withstand heavy foot and rolling load traffic.
Ava by Novalis: Herringbone and Chevron
Herringbone flooring designs have been around for centuries. Today, AVA is making this elegant look even more efficient to install thanks to new herringbone and chevron glue-down and click planks. Designed and pre-cut specifically for creating these distinctive patterns, the company’s new herringbone and chevron planks mean less material waste, easier installation and precise fit.
Bentley: Culinary Collection
The Culinary Collection from Bentley—inspired by culinary experiences—comprises three signature carpet styles. On the Block makes a mark with deep texture, evoking the random nicks and grooves that line well-used butcher block; From Scratch brings spice to any space with its large-scale, multi-directional pattern; and Serve It Up is more accessible in style, pattern and price—a good reminder to savor simplicity. Sustainably sourced and locally made, products in the Culinary Collection are manufactured with Bentley premium nylon. All Bentley carpet products are PVC-free, Cradle to Cradle Certified, NSF 140 certified, CRI Green Label Plus certified and are produced in a carbon neutral, LEED-EB:OM Gold-certified manufacturing facility.
Econyl x Venture Carpets: Haute Couture
Elegant, refined and balanced, the Haute Couture collection by Venture and made with Econyl regenerated nylon aims to reinvent the traditional representation of the classic black-and-white pattern. The styles are inspired by the most beautiful pieces from the catwalks to create environments that are both chic, casual and created with sustainability in mind. The Haute Couture textiles and carpet squares are designed to add dimension and perspective to any space, providing durability and beauty through the use of Econyl nylon.
Interface: Lost Palms
Capturing the varied beauty of a rugged, southwestern landscape, the Lost Palms carpet collection from Interface builds upon the company’s history of looking to nature for design inspiration while also providing great diversity to designers across a spectrum of texture, scale and pattern. The collection’s nine styles feature biophilic motifs to suit virtually any space, including a multitude of textural variations, a range of large-scale and small-scale patterns and looks that showcase everything from stone visuals to mid-century elements. Five foundational styles include: Jumbo Rock, Cap Rock, Keys View, Desert Veins and Ribbon Rock.
Kährs: Aware
The Aware Collection is a new PVC-free hybrid flooring collection from Kährs. Made with bio-based materials such as HDF from recycled wood, recycled wine cork material and natural fibers and filler, these floors are completely free from PVC and are low emission certified, promoting good indoor air quality. Thanks to the innovative layered design, the Aware Collection offers durability that compares to vinyl floors and are suitable for homes as well as commercial applications, including stores, hotels and restaurants. The collection features wood design planks in nine different colors inspired by national parks around the world.
Mannington Commercial: The Need for Sound
The Need for Sound is a modular carpet collection is inspired by sound baths, invoking plush textures and colors that restore a sense of comfort and vitality. Exploring sight, sound and touch in one holistic experience, The Need for Sound is designed to connect us more deeply to our inner and outer worlds.
Mohawk Group: Wild Dyer
The Wild Dyer carpet tile collection celebrates the unexpected richness and beauty of dyes from the often-overlooked mushroom. Two coordinating 24 x 24 styles pay homage to mushroom growth patterns. Colorways start with four rich neutrals achieved by Mohawk Group’s dematerialized Heathered Hues yarn. When combined with the Color Pulse yarns, four additional colorways are created that brighten the design spectrum. Wild Dyer features Mohawk Group’s leading technologies: Duracolor Tricor premium solution-dyed nylon and EcoFlex One backing with attached carpet pad. Wild Dyer is a low embodied carbon soft flooring system and is made using beyond carbon neutral manufacturing processes that provide a net-positive impact in both carbon and water.
Parterre: Ascendant
The Ascendant LVT collection under the Parterre brand features 3mm wood grain designs in pre-cut patterns. Each pattern comes in a selection of Parterre’s most popular wood grains, including rich walnuts, mid-tone woods and a variety of maple and oak options. There are nine designs offered in herringbone and chevron cuts for a total of 18 different options. Each chevron floor plank is 4.25 x 17 x 3mm, and each herringbone floor plank measures 4 x 24 x 3mm. The herringbone designs feature a 0.55mm micro bevel and the chevron designs feature a straight edge. The nine wood grain designs for both chevron and herringbone patterns use the glue-down installation method.
Patcraft: Material Edit
Material Edit from Patcraft is a carpet tile collection with unique visuals across multiple product platforms. The variation in styles allows for design flexibility, connecting modern aesthetics with ease of use and product coordination. Featuring eight colorways ranging from saturated hues to warm and cool neutrals, the five styles are available in 18 x 36 carpet tiles. Products are constructed with EcoSolution Q100 yarn, which offers 100% post-industrial recycled content allocated from waste minimization and collection efforts. Using this yarn in conjunction with an EcoWorx backing creates a lower overall embodied carbon footprint for the product, and the collection is carbon neutral. Products are Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver and can be recycled at the end of their useful life to then be remade into EcoWorx flooring through the re[TURN] Reclamation Program.
Mike Ford + Shaw Contract
In a creative fusion of design and culture, Shaw Contract and Hip Hop Architect Mike Ford introduce a rug collection that is designed to vibrantly encapsulate the rhythm, energy and history of hip hop. Five distinctive patterns represent various elements of hip hop—from DJ records to graffiti art—lending a unique aesthetic to commercial spaces. These rugs, available in several sizes, balance cultural richness with warmth, making them ideal for modern, versatile interiors. Constructed with Shaw Contract’s EcoSolution Q—a recyclable nylon fiber—these rugs offer a sustainable and durable flooring solution, underlining the collection’s commitment to design, cultural expression and environmental consciousness.
