I+S Design

05/29/2026

is no longer just about product launches and showroom tours. The conversation is shifting toward materiality, embodied carbon, circularity, and what happens to products after their useful life.

In the latest episode of I Hear Design, Robert Nieminen sits down with Jon Strassner and Kenn Busch to unpack how sustainability storytelling, material transparency, and smarter specification practices are reshaping commercial interiors ahead of NeoCon and Design Days 2026.

If you’re attending NeoCon Shows—or simply trying to better understand where the industry is headed—this conversation is worth a listen.

05/28/2026

What keeps people returning to physical spaces in a digital-first world?
In the latest episode of I Hear Design, Robert Nieminen sits down with Greg Lyon of Nadel, Inc. to discuss how retail and mixed-use environments are evolving into modern “third places” focused on connection, culture, dining, and experience.
From outdoor amenities and entertainment to authenticity and local identity, this conversation explores why today’s most successful destinations give people a reason to linger—not just shop.
What’s one retail or mixed-use destination you keep going back to, and why?

05/27/2026

After spending two days walking ICFF 2026 in New York, I kept returning to one idea: the best design today feels deeply human.
Yes, there was color, sculptural form, and visual excitement—but the products that stayed with me were the ones solving real problems through modularity, healthier materials, acoustics, adaptability, and comfort.
From bernhardtdesign’s student privacy lounges to Cosentino’s ÉCLOS surfaces and Submaterial’s removable acoustic systems, these were the moments and materials I kept thinking about long after leaving the Javits Center.

Standout moments, materials, and product ideas I kept coming back to during my time at ICFF in New York.

05/26/2026

Not all “bio” claims mean the same thing.
Some materials are lab-verified. Others rely on supply-chain tracking. And higher renewable-content percentages don’t always tell the full story about durability or performance.
This guide helps designers and specifiers ask smarter questions about sustainable materials and certifications.

Bio-based, bio-attributed, bio-sourced, and BioPreferred® are often used interchangeably, but they point to different forms of renewable content, documentation, and material evaluation...

05/22/2026

The future of sports architecture is becoming increasingly experiential—and HOK’s acquisition of ROSSETTI reflects that shift.
Together, the firms will expand capabilities across arenas, training facilities, mixed-use districts, and immersive entertainment venues while continuing projects like Cosm Detroit and the Arthur Ashe Stadium transformation.
For architects and designers, this merger highlights how sports venues are evolving into year-round community and entertainment destinations.
https://bit.ly/4a3YCWR

Acquisition of Detroit firm with 57 years of sports venue expertise deepens HOK’s practice and establishes its first office in Detroit.

05/21/2026

⚾ Batter up! Rawlings Sporting Goods has officially stepped into a new era of workplace design.

Featured by BUILDINGS, the company’s new headquarters—designed by Oculus Inc.—transforms a traditional office into a dynamic environment rooted in collaboration, flexibility, and baseball culture.

The 37,000-square-foot St. Louis workplace includes hybrid-ready meeting spaces, acoustical upgrades, café hubs, and authentic material choices inspired by the ballpark experience—all while celebrating Rawlings’ 139-year legacy.

This is more than an office redesign—it’s a lesson in creating spaces employees are proud to call home. ⚾

Read the full story here: Oculus Hits a Home Run with Rawlings’ New Headquarters: https://bit.ly/4dEF2Se

The sporting goods giant redefined its suburban St. Louis office to better support its people, performance, and brand.

05/20/2026

Bathrooms are no longer just functional—they’re becoming restorative, spa-like destinations within the built environment. 🛁

This week, i+s Editor Lauren Brant selected the Fleurco Solfege freestanding bathtub as her Product Pick of the Week for its ability to combine sculptural minimalism with practical performance. Available in petite and grande sizing, the tub offers flexibility for residential and hospitality projects alike while delivering elevated style through matte champagne, rosemary green, and glossy white finishes.

Would you specify a colored freestanding tub in your next project?

https://bit.ly/4dkchLF

This freestanding soaking tub provides a perfect blend of form and function, with options for different sizes to suit various spaces. Its high-quality materials and elegant design...

05/19/2026

A former Sam’s Club is now one of Colorado’s most dynamic hospitality and recreation destinations.
In this ICYMI episode of I Hear Design, we revisit the story behind Relish Food Hall + Pickleball—an 88,000-square-foot adaptive reuse project by Swan Dive Design Studio that blends sport, dining, events, and community connection under one roof.
The episode explores how designers used circulation, acoustics, indoor-outdoor transitions, and material strategy to make a massive big-box space feel warm, social, and human-scaled.

This ICYMI episode explores how Swan Dive Design Studio transformed an 88,000-square-foot big-box shell into Relish Food Hall + Pickleball, a lively adaptive reuse project that...

05/18/2026

What makes a hospitality space unforgettable?
For venues like the Naisho Room and None of the Above, it starts with storytelling. Hidden entrances, layered reveal sequences, salvaged materials, moody lighting, and cultural references all work together to transport guests into entirely different worlds.
This article explores how hospitality designers are using immersive interiors to create emotional connections, strengthen guest loyalty, and stand out in an increasingly experience-driven market.

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MICHELIN Guide
Lawrence Group

Learn how designers incorporate cultural references, sustainable repurposing, and atmospheric details to craft memorable, authentic environments that stand out in the hospitality...

05/15/2026

What happens when global uncertainty meets design innovation?

At Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026, the answer was resilience, sustainability, and smarter fabrication. This year’s show highlighted a shift toward “resilient luxury”—products designed for durability, repairability, timelessness, and long-term performance.

From invisible wellness technology to computational craft and circular materials, the event offered a preview of where commercial interiors are heading next.

Read the full trend analysis and product highlights from Lauren Brant.

The 2026 Salone del Mobile.Milano showcased a resilient and evolving global design market, emphasizing cross-border collaboration, technological integration, and emerging markets...