Tangram Interiors: The Top 10 Product Picks at the 2023 Healthcare Design Conference
Originally Published on Officeinsight
A group of Tangram Interiors representatives recently traveled to this year’s Healthcare Design Conference + Expo in New Orleans. Attendees had the opportunity to attend over 100 sessions and learn about the latest research and strategies in healthcare design.
As leaders in commercial interior design and workspace innovation, Tangram Interiors works hard to stay at the forefront of all design trends – including those in healthcare spaces.
Kellie Reed, Tangram Orange County Vice President, described the event as an “illuminating experience immersed in the forefront of healthcare innovation.”
Industry professionals were able to learn about the latest advancements, including human-centric designs and the most popular products. From ideas for future projects to current hospital designs, there was no shortage of topics for discussion.
After spending time walking the floor, Kellie Reed compiled a list of the 10 most innovative, impressive products she saw at the HCD event. Let’s take a look at what the future holds.
1. Project Ghost
Steelcase x Logitech’s Project Ghost is set to completely change the video chat experience – an instrumental concept in improving telehealth capabilities.
The Steelcase Ghost is rooted in current tech, but it demonstrates the powerful capacity to beam images onto glass, making the virtual person on the screen appear life-like and to-scale. Most importantly, users are even able to make eye contact with one another in a way that other video conferencing tools simply don’t allow.
This type of telehealth communication takes place in a fully enclosed, private, and free-standing pod. As such, it offers a realistic and intuitive interaction – one that rivals the human connection of in-person healthcare appointments.
This technology will be huge in creating a more empathetic and personal telehealth experience, especially when discussing sensitive or difficult information from afar.
2. Falkbuilt DuraFalk
Falkbuilt’s new proprietary finish, DuraFalk, is the latest game-changer from Digital Component Construction.
Using an energy-efficient process in a fraction of the space normally associated with high-velocity finishing systems, DuraFalk has become the “most sustainable” finish in the industry – and it offers infinite design potential.
As a hermetically sealed, durable, toxin-free finish, DuraFalk provides the perfect solution for many spaces, including medical centers and healthcare facilities. It is completely free of PVC, HAPs, and solvents, and it can integrate seamlessly into the design and production process.
3. Plural Rochester Lounge Chair
The Rochester by Brian Graham at Plural combines form and function in a timeless seating series including a lounge chair, settee, sofa, and sleeper sofa. This can expand sleeping and lounging capabilities in healthcare spaces, as well as in corporate offices.
Optional solid surface arm top caps, a subtly integrated clean-out space, and field-replaceable upholstery allow Rochester to gracefully exist in healing environments for multiple life cycles.
Plural has long been known for its range of high-end, unique upholstery options. From “Frosty White” to “Soothing Grey,” the Rochester comes in multiple versatile, comforting colors for professional spaces.
4. National Kolo ADA-Compliant Pod
The Kolo Pod is designed to offer a quiet space within environments for focused work, one-on-one meetings, and gatherings of up to eight people. There are other pods that accomplish that, but this line is one of the first to offer ADA-compliant office phone booths.
The seats and the table are folded up to allow room for a wheelchair, and the door is motion-activated and closes on its own. This makes privacy accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
Furthermore, the Kolo Pod offers an “anti-eavesdrop” design. In healthcare settings, this can allow both patients and professionals to have truly private conversations or get work done in a fully soundproof setting.
5. OM Seating Plot Twist
Manufactured by OM and designed by Achella Design, the Plot Twist is a mobile, rotating pouf that offers an attached, height-adjustable tablet. This revolutionary work chair couples the function of an office chair with the warm comfort of a lounge ottoman.
The Plot Twist’s orbiting work surface free-lifts without paddles or levers, delivering a smooth, stable and predictable glide to any desired height. A flush-set button conveniently lowers the surface.
With its various configurations and convenient sizing, this pouf offers a range of possibilities to medical offices, clinics, and other healthcare spaces.
6. Carolina Chrys
Although it might look simple, Chrys is a great health dining and lounge option for behavioral health environments. Designed to meet the stringent demands of healthcare spaces, this table fuses comfort with durability and safety.
With a soothing color palette and soft, organic lines, Chrys prioritizes safety and security with a tamper-resistant design. The table also has additional weighting to deter misuse, which can be a benefit in a wide range of professional and public settings.
7. Krug Zola Ottoman
Zola is an excellent solution for high-use public seating in caregiving environments and hospitals. Its modularity means it can be reconfigured easily and can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis.
At Tangram Interiors, we love a lightweight, active seating experience. This one also features a low-back that makes for an excellent conversational, open experience.
8. Kimball Tyba Lounge
Tyba is a fully upholstered, soft-formed, armless seating solution that has a companion ottoman. Although it might look like a standard lounge chair, it places an extra emphasis on comfort and flexibility – both important concepts in the healthcare space.
The Tyba is available in three base options: standard, weighted plinth, or non-weighted plinth. It brings warmth and softness to spaces that are necessary for healing, including behavioral health facilities that need to create a soothing atmosphere.
9. Wieland Soul Sofa & Soul Mate
The Soul Sofa is a clean sleeper sofa option with integrated power, but the showstopper is the Soul Mate, a multi-purpose convertible cube designed to be used as an ottoman, nightstand, or chair.
When not in use, up to three Soul Mates can be stowed neatly under the sofa, which can be invaluable in small healthcare facilities with limited space. Both the Soul Sofa and Mate are highly user-friendly and only require a one-stop lift motion with a self-lock to convert. to a chair.
We appreciate that both of these Wieland pieces come in fully renewable upholstery, allowing for thoughtful design and branding touches.
10. Global Willow Guest Seating
This guest seating was specifically designed in collaboration with patients and healthcare professionals. Willow offers an extensive range of chair models, finishes, and upholstery, all of which support modular and stand-alone applications.
The key selling point of this product is its comfort. Patients and family members can endure long wait times in comfortable, colorful chairs that take healthcare waiting areas to the next level.
Let’s Keep Up With the Design Latest Trends – Together
Whether you’re in the healthcare field or another industry, Tangram Interiors is here to help you stay on top of all the latest tech, design trends, and office evolutions. We believe in creating great experiences by thinking about people, technology, and place as a single holistic ecosystem.
Got questions? Want to chat about your team’s space? Get in touch.
