Last week, Toronto-based Teknion Corp. opened its redesigned New York showroom with great fanfare as a “Canvas for Creativity.” Designed by Vanderbyl Design, the new showroom features innovative new designs from Teknion’s integrated product portfolio that support new ways of work while creating healthy, productive environments. “Our New York showroom was planned to show architects and designers our latest workplace design sensibilities and best applications of Teknion products as they relate to today’s emerging workplace trends,” said Maxine Mann, president of Teknion’s U.S. operations. “Teknion’s newly renovated and refitted New York showroom makes a strong design statement with minimal environmental impact.”

Teknion’s full-height architectural products, Altos and Optos, were used to create most of the perimeter walls at the 22,000-sq.-ft. loft space at 641 Avenue of the Americas, where clear glass interior walls allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the space.

The main open area of the showroom is defined by large, suspended black-and-white photographic panels depicting a natural birch forest and encompasses a series of workstations typical of today’s open, collaborative, and creative workplaces. District furniture groupings demonstrate a variety of permanent address, temporary, and shared workstations. The set-up illustrates how the product line creates more or less privacy with panels and storage and how surfaces can be arranged to enhance communication.

Two pairs of Leverage panel-based workstations make best use of the available light with their generous use of glass, demonstrating the kinds of product options from Teknion that support LEED credits for daylight and views. “In today’s workplace, light, open interiors are combined with good air quality to ensure a healthy work environment for employees, and that was our goal with the New York showroom,” says Mann.

White and dark olive veneers, glass, anodized aluminum, and platinum accents create the kind of signature palette for which Michael Vanderbyl is known—restrained yet bold and elegant—and set the perfect canvas for well-attended opening party featuring a “green” fashion show by international fashion designer Annie Thompson, who created a collection of striking ensembles out of sustainable textiles. The mood was definitely high as the entire showroom was transformed into a runway with 16 models, who danced their way through the show.