Knoll Announces June 2020 Free Virtual Knoll Design Days Lineup
Digital-first program, Opportunities for Change, to present fresh thinking from top design thinkers
Knoll, Inc., a constellation of design-driven brands for the workplace and home, announced program details for Knoll Design Days 2020—Opportunities for Change. Hosted this year as a free virtual event for industry insiders and design enthusiasts alike, Knoll Design Days will take place June 9-10, 2020, bringing the Company’s unparalleled expertise on design and the workplace to audiences in a digital-first format. The program, noon to 6:00 PM ET daily, builds on the success of the Company’s current k.talks series and its Women In Design Dialogues presented at Fulton Market Chicago in 2019.
Knoll Design Days—Opportunities for Change explores Knoll’s holistic, research-driven point-of-view with today’s top thinkers in workplace strategy and planning; product design, architecture; interior design; and textiles. The program includes fresh thinking on strategies for planning workstations, private offices and shared spaces as well insights about materials and color.
“Simply put, the very nature of how we work and live is always changing, whether it’s in response to new technologies, evolving work culture or the COVID-19 crisis. A successful workplace addresses change—and Knoll always strives to find the right opportunities for organizations to adapt,” stated Benjamin Pardo, Knoll Executive Vice President, Design.
“We’re here to help organizations adjust to a new normal and give people confidence in their work environments. We look forward to expanding the dialogue around considerations for a healthy work life, through what I think is an incredible representation of what our constellation of brands can accomplish,” added Pardo.
Program participants include:
- Cindy Allen, Editor-in-Chief, Interior Design Magazine
- Antenna Design principals, Sigi Moeslinger and Mashimichi Udagawa
- Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby, Principal Designers, Barber Osgerby
- Thomas Bentzen, designer
- Nina Bruun, designer
- Dorothy Cosonas, Creative Director, KnollTextiles
- Dan Grabowski, Designer
- Marie Hesseldahl, Product Design Manager, Muuto
- Sharon Johnston, Johnston Marklee & Associates
- Marc Krusin, Designer
- Piero Lissoni, Architect & Designer
- Susan Magsamen, Founder and Executive Director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins University
- India Mahdavi, Architect
- Benjamin Pardo, Knoll Executive Vice President, Design
- David Rockwell, Founder and President, Rockwell Group
- Kylie Roth, Knoll Senior Director, Workplace Research
- Zoë Ryan, Art Institute of Chicago’s John H. Bryan Chair and Curator of Architecture and Design
- Tracy Wymer, Knoll Vice President, Workplace Strategy
- Kim Yao, principal ARO Architecture Research Office
In addition, Pardo, who will host many of the segments, invites viewers to join him for a cocktails each evening with designers and friends.
Opportunities for Exploring Change
Tuesday, June 9
12:00 – 12:30 PM ET
k. talk
Reimagine the Workplace
Hear from Knoll vice president, workplace Tracy Wymer and senior research director Kylie Roth as they discuss the evolution of the workplace in relation to our latest thinking on planning spaces that balance comfort and humanity.
12:45 – 1:30 PM ET
k. talk
Looking Ahead – The Art of Working
Learn what makes an engaging workplace from Antenna Design principals Sigi Moeslinger and Masamichi Udagawa; David Rockwell, Founder and President, Rockwell Group; and Knoll design director Benjamin Pardo.
1:45 – 2:45 PM ET
Fresh Thinking
Workplace Planning for Individuals and Teams
Focus on Workstations and Private Offices
Plan. Create. Furnish. What are the themes and solutions driving workplace planning? Find out from the Knoll design and product team.
3:00 – 3:45 PM ET
k. talk
Women in Design
What Makes Modern
Explore perspectives on modern design for the way we work and live with Zoë Ryan, the Art Institute of Chicago’s John H. Bryan Chair and Curator of Architecture and Design, who invites architects Sharon Johnston, Johnston Marklee & Associates, and India Madhavi to discuss their work.
4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Fresh Thinking
Materials in Times of Change
Textiles, Felt and More
What makes up the perfect blend of workplace mate- rials and sustainable design? Interior Design editor- in-chief Cindy Allen brings together Copenhagen-based designer Nina Bruun, KnollTextiles creative director Dorothy Cosonas and Kim Yao, principal ARO Architecture Research Office, to shed light on color and texture.
5:15 – 6:00 PM
Cocktails and Tea Together, Apart
Happy Hour with Knoll Design Director Benjamin Pardo and Friends
Join Benjamin, Milan-based designer Piero Lissoni and friends for design insights. Benjamin will share a favorite cocktail recipe—and teas.; bring your own beverage.
Opportunities for Exploring Change
Wednesday, June 10
12:00 – 12:45 PM ET
k. talk
Studio Visit with Thomas Bentzen
Meet Thomas Bentzen in his Copenhagen, Denmark studio and explore his perspective on form, function and materials as he introduces his designs for Muuto.
1:00- 2:15 PM
Fresh Thinking
Workplace Planning for Individuals and Teams
Focus on Soft Architecture, Tables and Seating
Plan. Create. Furnish. What are the themes driving the planning of group spaces? Find out from the Knoll design and product team with insights from designers Edward Barber, Dan Grabowski, Marc Krusin and Jay Osgerby that inform planning meeting areas, training rooms and casual spaces.
2:30 – 3:15 PM ET
k. talk
Women in Design
Color and Wellbeing
Learn how the elements around us have an impact on how we feel with Zoë Ryan, the Art Institute of Chicago’s John H. Bryan Chair and Curator of Architecture; Marie Hesseldahl, Design Muuto product design manager; and Susan Magsamen, Founder and Executive Director of the International Arts + Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins University.
3:30 – 4:30 PM ET
Fresh Thinking
Higher Education Design
Hear about practical strategies for higher education design with Knoll vice president for education/ healthcare Carol Cranes who leads a discussion with campus planners about how colleges and universities are reimaging facilities and programs to adapt to the realities of bringing students, faculty and staff back to campus.
4:45 – 5:30 PM
Cocktails and Tea Together, Apart
Happy Hour with Knoll Design Director Benjamin Pardo and Friends
Join Benjamin, London-based designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby and friends for design insights. Benjamin will share a favorite cocktail recipe—and teas; bring your own beverage.
