It’s no surprise that the largest office furniture manufacturer in the world managed to win a heaping handful of awards at NeoCon 2012. Steelcase’s Free Stand from the Coalesse collection received the nod as the Best for Innovation, garnered the Editor’s Choice recognition, and grabbed a silver award to boot. This tiny table shows that office furniture can be small and still represent a big concept. That’s perfectly in keeping with NeoCon’s “Think Big” motto for this year’s convention. The goal of the Free Stand is simple: bring ergonomics to mobile workers.

About the Free Stand

Today’s employees are often expected to perform their jobs from anywhere. Now, they don’t have to put their laptop on their lap when it’s time to log in and get some work done. Instead, they can save their thighs from heat rash and set up their portable computer or their tablet on a small table that’s just the right size for an individual on the go. The table folds up flat for storage under lounge seating, in the back of a car, or in a closet. Now, workers can turn any location (even an outdoor venue) into an impromptu office. This is literally going to be the workstation of the future…since it won’t be available for ordering until next year at the earliest.

Additional Prizes

Steelcase’s other awards include a Gold for textiles in the Techniques Collection from subsidiary Designtex. The office furniture conglomerate is no doubt patting itself on the back for acquiring Designtex last year. Looks like they picked a winner! Of course, designer Carla Weisberg gets credit too as the creator behind these wallcoverings. The designs are expected to have wide appeal for both commercial and residential use.

Finally, Steelcase brought home a Silver for the collection called Verb (yes, that’s a funny name for a proper noun). Mobility and collaboration is the concept behind this furniture as well. The tables are on casters and whiteboards are literally everywhere so users can share ideas with ease.