ICFF Announces 2024 Programming and Features
Furniture World News Desk on
4/18/2024
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), North America's premier contemporary design fair announces original programming, new features, and experiences across the show floor. The fair is being held May 19-21, 2024, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, during the citywide design festival NYCxDESIGN.
“Our main focus for ICFF and beyond is to foster stronger connections and commerce within the global design community,” say ICFF Brand Directors Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat. “We are presenting content that is evenly split between U.S. and international exhibitors and providing a fresh and innovative perspective that appeals to a younger audience. Through curated spaces for exploration and networking, the 35th edition promises to be a must-attend event.”
Over the three days of the fair, designers, architects, interior designers, curators, buyers, and developers will gather and explore the latest products from more than 450 exhibitors, representing 35 countries worldwide. More than 75 design changemakers and emerging talents will take center stage as they participate in the ICFF Talks on The Main Stage and The Oasis with a lineup of panel sessions, keynote presentations, and intimate talks that examine the future of residential and commercial design.
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
At the Crossroads of American Design: Sustainability in Practice and Spirit
Returning in 2024 at the heart of the fair, The Crossroads will be a collaboration between the ICFF brand directors; Creative Director David Rockwell, founder of Rockwell Group; and co-curator and editor Pei-Ru Keh. Sustainability, in its complex and multifaceted form, serves as the focal point of The Crossroads’ second iteration. This year’s exhibition will spotlight the way designers seek to preserve long-honored craft traditions, together with how they push the boundaries of circularity to consciously re-think the legitimacy of material use.
The team has created a colorful and immersive environment that is an ode to the fantasy and dreams of American design and a hands-on approach to sustainability practices. The approach to the exhibit is framed by a long diagonal wall that is both a billboard to the exhibit and a mural on the other side of a desert super bloom that acts as a backdrop to the objects and pieces. The space is divided into several zones that include a demo area up front; seating for design dialogues and panels; a central circulation area to connect with designers in person; a gallery of objects highlighting the diversity of design in practice; and a casual configuration of seating for visitors to both discover and reflect on the breadth of design now. The variety of spaces creates different pockets showcasing the possibilities of sustainability by different design studios across America. The Crossroads is sponsored by Lead Partners Designtex and Skram; Partner Loose Parts, and Supporting Partners Alexis & Ginger, Colony, Liora Manné, Office of Tangible Space, and Okaterra. There are also contributions from Elodie Blanchard, MushLume Lighting, Lichen, Like Minded Objects, Kamilla Csegzi, Madeline Isakson, and thehighkey.
The Crossroads will present daily programming curated by Tiffany Jow, editor-in-chief of the design journal Untapped. It will include insight into how each designer approaches sustainability and why that matters. This understanding will provide a solid foundation to talk about the ideas behind the works on view, which tackle subjects including craft, circularity, materials, and reuse, and some of the shifts and solutions required for the future.
WHAT’S NEW?
- Bespoke: The Art of Making: Celebrating craftsmanship, this new feature presented with AD PRO will showcase the skill and expertise of high-end artisans. Emphasizing the unique techniques used to create beautiful handmade furnishings, textiles, and architectural finishes, the dedicated area will present companies creating one-of-a-kind and custom-made works. Daily activations hosted by AD PRO will take place in the Bespoke Salon, designed by MA | Morris Adjmi Architects (ICFF Designer of the Year, 2023).
- Design Schools Workshop, presented with Honda Design: The Design Schools Workshop is a collaborative, 4-day course where a selection of 35-40 international design students work together on a creative solution to a brief. This year, the theme is “The Desired Future of the Next Generation”. Students will imagine the future of mobility, taking a storytelling and holistic approach. It will take place in a dedicated area adjacent to the WANTED space. Presented with media partner Core77 and conducted with Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Honda Design, and in partnership with Pratt Institute. The workshop space is sponsored by Teak NY, Molo, Montana, and Visual Magnetics.
- OFS x ROOM: This May, OFS x ROOM will launch a podcast with the leading voices in global design discussing the ideas reshaping how we live and work. In the Room will feature conversations with talents speaking at ICFF. OFS and Doug Shapiro, of the podcast Imagine a Place, will host the discussions, which will be recorded live from the show floor. Guests include Giulio Cappellini, Luca Nichetto, and Lee Broom among others. The full line-up will be announced soon.
- The Library, in partnership with Phaidon: Global book publisher Phaidon will join as a partner in 2024, with activations for the new release Designed for Life: The World’s Best Product Designers and a curated Phaidon library adjacent to The Main Stage. Sponsored by Ligne Roset, Kasthall, String Furniture, and Midgard.
- The Water Studio x Grohe Lounge: The lounge in the heart of the new Kitchen + Bath space will feature talks from NKBA and Designhounds, happy hours, and other networking opportunities. Sponsored by Grohe.
Welcome x Moooi plus NYCxDESIGN Info Desk
Moooi is set to show original designs and bring every visitor an unexpected welcome. Moooi creates an inviting atmosphere that encapsulates its signature blend of eclectic, surprising, and original designs. Visitors will be greeted by an array of Moooi's latest introductions, including Tubelight by BCXSY and Big George by Cristián Mohaded, alongside timeless best-sellers and iconic designs. This space will show a well-curated mix of lighting, furniture, and accessories that outlast everyday interiors, define the personalities of spaces, and deliver the extra touch of creativity and beauty that is always unexpected and yet so exquisitely welcome.
NYCxDESIGN Info Desk will inform all visitors about the not-to-be-missed destinations and events as part of the 2024 NYCxDESIGN Festival.
WANTED:
Dedicated to emerging design, WANTED (previously WantedDesign Manhattan) returns as a centerpiece of ICFF with Look Book, Launch Pad, the Schools Showcase, and the Design Schools Workshop (the latter for the first time at the Javits Center). The WANTED Lounge x Lumens and the Look Book Lounge x Canoa will be central meeting areas during the show.
- Look Book: An in-person portfolio for members of the A&D community to connect with high-end North American designers/makers/entrepreneurs and source original designs and beautifully crafted products for their next projects. Presented with media partner Dezeen and supported by Turf, the space will feature 64 participants, up from 48 in 2023, and include the Look Book Workspace, a communal area for meeting and working. Daily activations in the Look Book Lounge x Canoa and programmed by media partner Dezeen.
- Launch Pad: This international platform for emerging designers introduces new concepts and showcases furniture, home accessories, and lighting prototypes. This year ICFF will show 69 participants including the two Best of Launch Pad winners from 2023: Gus by Good Growing/Tori Deetz and Studio Waah/Shaunak Patel. This year Launch Pad will feature studios from 17 countries. Sponsored by American Standard and Lumens and presented with media partners Design Milk and Clever. Lumens will present a public voting feature for
Launch Pad.
- Schools Showcase: For the third year, international design schools will show the industry the outstanding work of their students. Twenty international schools and students will be represented. The Best of Schools Award and Students Prize are sponsored by Alessi and presented with media partner Design Milk.
DESIGNING THE EXPERIENCE
ICFF taps into the expertise of Rodolfo Agrella Design Studio (RADS Group) to design the physical experience of the show. This will include the main color-coded spaces and common areas as well as the new brand activation, all focused on the vibrancy of NYC as the core narrative of this year's edition.
“This year we are celebrating NYC’s design community vibrancy, weaving a colorful experience that speaks to the boldness of the city, our new branding, and the diversity of exhibitors and visitors. We are also designing every element of the show with its carbon footprint in consideration as well as the life of the product post-show,” states Rodolfo Agrella, Creative Director, RADS Group.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
ICFF Night Out x Interni | Friday, May 17 | 5:00pm-9:00pm
ICFF is launching the first-ever ICFF Night Out showroom event on May 17th with media partner Interni, Europe’s leading design publication. ICFF Night Out x Interni will celebrate New York’s international community of design brands, like Moooi and Belgiqa, in and around the NoMad neighborhood and bring a world-class audience of A&D professionals to discover new products and celebrate design excellence.
ICFF Editors Awards | Sunday, May 19 | 5:30pm
Editors from leading design publications will walk the show floor to choose their favorite products and designs across 12 product categories plus the Best in Show award. These awards are open to all exhibitors and winners will be announced on Sunday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m. on The Main Stage. More details can be found here.
ICFF TALKS HIGHLIGHTS
The Talks are open to everyone who registers and attends the fair and are located on The Main Stage sponsored by Turf, and The Oasis sponsored by EQ3 and Greenmood. Additionally, focused conversations will occur in new dedicated spaces such as the Bespoke Salon, The Crossroads, the Look Book Lounge x Canoa, and The Water Studio x Grohe Lounge. Full schedule here.
Registration is now open, click here for more.
For more information about ICFF and the exhibitor list, please visit icff.com.
About ICFF
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) is North America’s leading global platform for contemporary furnishing design. With its emphasis on original and sustainable design, ICFF presents exhibitors of furniture (indoor and outdoor), lighting, seating, carpet and flooring, wallcoverings, materials, and kitchen and bath to an audience of architects, interior designers, retailers, distributors, developers, and press. ICFF is owned by Emerald.
About Emerald
Emerald is a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers’ businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, visit www.emeraldx.com.