PDO is back from NeoCon, a leading event for the commercial interior design industry, and feeling inspired. This year’s show offered an intriguing look at where workplace and commercial interiors are headed. Below, PDO designers Amanda Fausto, Sally Azer, and Vanessa Estrada share several inspirational takeaways.
From Amanda Fausto: “The Turf Design showroom was one of my favorite during NeoCon. Rather than simply showcasing their acoustical products, their space offered a fully immersive experience that engaged sight, touch and sound. It was thoughtfully designed around the human sensory experience and demonstrated how workplace design is evolving beyond traditional open workstations and private offices. People work differently depending on their surroundings, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By considering the sensory experience and providing a variety of flexible work settings, designers can create spaces that inspire creativity, support productivity and give a greater sense of excitement about being in the office.”
From Sally Azer: “One of my biggest design takeaways from NeoCon 2026 was the growing emphasis on human-centric workplaces—spaces that prioritize familiarity, warmth, comfort and a sense of home while thoughtfully integrating new technology. Kettal’s Eames Pavilions were a great example of this approach. Expanding on the legacy of Ray and Charles Eames, the pavilions embrace a human-scaled perspective on interior spaces. Mid-century details such as sliding window screens and tactile knob controls provide a familiar simplicity that feels intuitive, warm and welcoming. Another great example is Halcon’s credenza concept featuring a built-in record player and a wall unit that includes a guitar display within a conference room setting. It is a compelling expression of individuality and personal identity in the workplace. The design solutions that resonated most for me balanced innovation with nostalgia and performance with comfort.”
From Vanessa Estrada: “Attending NeoCon 2026 made it clear that the new language of luxury design is now deeply personal. The trend focuses on ways to sculpt spaces as a direct extension of a client’s brand. This bespoke approach comes alive through unique millwork, signature lighting and the artistic layering of different fabrics to harmoniously blend coziness with sophisticated visual interest. Personalization and meticulous detailing have become the pillars of luxury design, with every detail serving a purpose and communicating a company’s core mission directly to its target audience.”
Thank you again, NeoCon, for the showstopper event and for so much inspiration! We can’t wait to put it to work.
