After creating a preliminary buzz at NeoCon 2025, Hightower is officially launching Tulipan by +Halle to the North American market. A thoughtfully designed piece of micro-architecture, Tuilpan redefines how privacy is experienced in today’s open and dynamic workplaces.
Developed by London-based design studio Industrial Facility in response to the Annual Briefing based on the concept of “defining,” Tulipan challenges conventional typologies like booths or meeting pods. Instead, it proposes a new kind of spatial element; neither room nor furniture, but something meaningful in between. Tulipan offers a moment of separation without the feeling of full disconnection. A small table and a comfortable swivel seat are enclosed in a compact shell, no larger than a typical chair and table. Half of the enclosure rotates with the seat, making entry intuitive and seamless. There is no door; the transition from shared space to semi-private retreat is smooth and informal, eliminating the rigidity often associated with closed spaces.
“At Hightower, we believe in offering Considered Solutions: products that are purposeful, sustainable, and beautifully made,” said Natalie Hartkopf, Hightower Chair/Co-Owner. “Tulipan embodies this philosophy. It dampens sound and filters sightlines, supporting a variety of workstyles and user needs within the open-plan environment. The result is a versatile place for focus, reflection, or creative thinking, providing a sense of enclosure while remaining accessible.”
Tulipan may also serve as an alternative to a mother’s room or nursing pod, offering comfort and discretion in settings where a fully private room is not available. Its approachable form and subtle boundaries make it suitable for moments that call for pause and care. To further enhance the experience, optional power is available to support longer or more task-oriented use.
“Tulipan isn’t about shutting the world out; it’s about giving people the choice to engage or retreat, with comfort and flexibility,” said Martin Halle, CEO and designer at +Halle. “The idea came from a moment many people can relate to. I was alone in a silent hotel room, trying to focus, and found myself more distracted than ever. It wasn’t until I moved to a lively hotel lobby—with that soft hum of ambient noise around me—that I actually found clarity. That contrast sparked a question: could we create a space that blends the privacy people need with the energy of a shared environment? Tulipan offers that balance. It’s a soft space in a hard world.”
Aligned with Hightower’s environmental impact values, Tulipan is Indoor Advantage Gold (IAG) certified for low VOC emissions and backed by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) through +Halle, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainability and transparency. In addition, Tulipan is upholstered domestically at Hightower’s High Point facility, resulting in shorter lead times and lower overall costs. This has been part of Hightower’s main manufacturing processes for many years.
“We fast-tracked Tulipan into the Hightower portfolio because it perfectly embodies the intent behind our Considered Solutions initiative: design that thoughtfully supports how people really use space,” said Shawn Sowers, VP of Design at Hightower. “Tulipan offers that rare balance of separation and connection. At just 54 inches high, it doesn’t interrupt the line of sight within a space, but it creates a subtle boundary that allows the user to retreat without isolation. Whether you’re decompressing, checking emails, or finding deep focus amidst the buzz of a public setting, Tulipan helps manage distractions while maintaining the energy of togetherness. It’s a human-centered approach to space division that is functional, acoustically mindful, and universally welcoming, with a BIFMA X5.41 400 Large Occupant rating that ensures it performs for everyone.”
Tulipan is a new way to define semi-private spaces and is ideally suited for today’s office, education settings, and libraries, as well as public spaces such as airports and lobbies or waiting rooms.
To review additional details about Tulipan and to see more from the Hightower product catalog, visit hightower.design.
About Hightower
For more than two decades, Hightower has elevated the way people work, learn, and connect through a curated house of brands and a commitment to meaningful design. At the core of its portfolio is Hightower Studio, the company’s in-house brand designed and manufactured in High Point, North Carolina. Alongside Studio, Hightower proudly partners with leading European brands including +Halle, Ocee & Four Design, and Ondarreta, offering a mix of imported, domestic, and partially domestic products tailored to modern commercial interiors.
Family-founded and women-owned, Hightower is led by Chair/Co-Owner Natalie Hartkopf and President/COO Jenna Geigerman. Hightower is a certified Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE).
Sustainability and responsible business practices are central to Hightower’s ethos. The company has signed The Climate Pledge and Hightower Studio is a certified B Corp, underscoring its commitment to balancing people, planet, and profit.
Celebrated for innovation and design excellence, Hightower has earned esteemed industry accolades including Best of Competition at NeoCon, Metropolis Likes, and Interior Design’s HiP Awards.
Discover more at hightower.design.