Slalom at NeoCon 2026: A Fresh Take on Acoustic Design
NEOCON 2026: SLALOM OPENS ITS FIRST U.S. SHOWROOM AT THE MART
NeoCon 2026 brought the commercial design community back to The Mart in Chicago for the 57th edition of the show, running June 8–10 under the theme “Where Design Connects.” This year marked a significant milestone for Slalom Acoustics: the official opening of Slalom’s first permanent U.S. showroom.
The three days were full of product reveals, a new color palette, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a NeoCon Talks seminar, and a HiP Award win.
"The Mart is becoming a destination for experiential showrooms. With legacy brands expanding into Fulton Market, up-and-coming brands are taking center stage at The Mart. The energy this year reflects that evolution."
A PERMANENT HOME FOR SLALOM IN CHICAGO
Slalom’s new showroom is located on the 10th floor of The Mart. The space was designed by Gensler’s Houston office, with interiors developed by Teklan. The result is an environment that puts European and American design thinking in direct conversation. Surfaces interact with color, light, and sound, all of which contribute to the emotional experience of inhabiting a space.
The showroom opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the first day of the show. Robin Reigi attended alongside many other Slalom U.S. representatives, as well as Slalom founder and architect Elettra de Pellegrin and Kim Weber from, the U.S. distributor for Slalom.
"The Slalom showroom is a joyful expression of light, color, and sound. You walk in and feel it. That sense of wellbeing is exactly what Slalom's work is about — and seeing it fully realized in a permanent space is exciting for everyone who specifies these products."
THE TEKLAN X SLALOM COLLECTION: COLOR AS AN ACOUSTIC TOOL
One of the highlights at NeoCon 2026 was the debut of the Teklan x Slalom collection. Developed with Swedish colorist and designer Teklan, the collection adds new shades to Slalom’s existing palette. The tones are soft and mineral. They interact with architecture and light rather than competing with them.
The concept behind the collection reflects Slalom’s broader “Acoustethics” philosophy: the balance between acoustics, ethics, and aesthetics. The new colors are designed to function like wall colors, intended for early-stage acoustic-architectural design decisions.
"Starting from a strength — each Slalom acoustic solution is available in a wide variety of colors and shapes — our research has focused on a new, fresh energy."
SPYKON AND ARLECCHINO: TWO NEW ACOUSTIC SURFACES
The showroom also introduced two new acoustic surface products.
SPYKON, designed by architect Giulia Foscari of UNA/UNLESS, is a next-generation acoustic surface conceived as a continuous field of prismatic, diamond-like pyramidal volumes. The geometry is drawn from recording studios and anechoic chambers. Its modules scatter, diffuse, and absorb sound. Where conventional systems rely on petroleum-based polyurethane foam, SPYKON takes a sustainability-forward material approach. It was developed through research projects including Voice of Commons and Ecotonos.
Arlecchino, designed by Teklan, is an acoustic solution that brings performance, geometry, and bold color contrast together. It is available in a thermoformed 3D version and a printed PETfelt solution. Arlecchino’s modular diamond pattern allows for flexible compositions where color and texture define cohesive interior environments. Arlecchino was recognized with a HiP Award in the Workplace: Acoustical Wall Applications category, presented by Interior Design Magazine.
THE FULL SLALOM PRODUCT LINEUP ON DISPLAY
The showroom featured a wide range of Slalom’s acoustic solutions. Products on display included Arlecchino, Kayak, Bloom, CRAFTfelt, ECOrange Square, ECOrange W, ECOrange Wave, FUSIONfelt, Millerighe, and PRESSEDfelt. Together, they represent the range of forms, materials, and finishes that Slalom brings to contract and hospitality interiors.
ELETTRA DE PELLEGRIN AT NEOCON TALKS
On June 9th at 2:45 PM, Elettra de Pellegrin took the stage at the NeoCon Talks session “Design for Wellness: How Sound and Color Shape Experience.” The session explored how sound, color, and sensory design work together to change how people experience a space. Slalom was also a sponsor of this year’s NeoCon Talks program, with acoustic solutions featured throughout the dedicated space on the 7th floor.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR SPECIFIERS
For architects and interior designers working in contract, corporate, or hospitality environments, Slalom’s Chicago presence is a practical resource. The permanent showroom gives the design community direct access to Slalom’s full acoustic product range. Seeing, touching, and hearing how these materials perform in a well-designed space is a different experience than browsing a catalog.
Robin Reigi represents Slalom in the NY Metro area. If you are an architect or designer working on a project where acoustics, color, and material performance need to work together, Robin and Jennifer are available to walk you through the full Slalom range. Set up a meeting to see the products in person and talk through what makes sense for your project. Contact us to schedule a time.
Photography: Kevin Penczak. Showroom design: Gensler Houston (architecture), Teklan (interiors).
"Visitors are coming for spaces that offer something beyond product — atmospheric environments, artistic expression, a genuine sensory experience."
