Tarkett’s new Fulton Market showroom features ample natural light, access to the outdoors, and flexible spaces for both independent work and collaboration.
Tarkett opened a new showroom in Fulton Market in June 2022. In addition to its 10,000 square-foot space, Tarkett has access to the building’s rooftop patio with 360° views of the city skyline. Overall, the space is designed for the needs of today’s workstyles, with natural light, access to the outdoors, and flexible spaces for both independent work and collaboration.
Project Overview:
The showroom was designed by Kuchar, a woman-owned boutique based in Chicago. Project designer Rachel Benitez said the space draws inspiration from the dynamic Fulton Market neighborhood and its industrial roots.
“The space is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, so one is surrounded by natural light, downtown views, urban living, and the constant movement of the former industrial district. A sophisticated, neutral palette creates a clean backdrop for gentle nods to the neighborhood’s character. The aesthetic is truly a celebration of the floor,” Benitez said.
After two years of remote work, Tarkett has recognized a growing desire to reconnect as more people shift toward hybrid work styles that better support their overall wellbeing. It was this process of coming together as individuals to build and create that inspired Tarkett’s Collaborative collection.
The new collection emerged from a collaborative mark-making process led by Tarkett’s vice president of design for its commercial business, Omoleye Simmons. As a former art educator, Simmons has experience coaching designers in technology and concept development, translating art to product. That process is evident in the collection’s design patterns, which were created by layering the marks of different team members, integrating and transforming them into something much greater than the sum of its parts.
“In creating this collection, our goal was to celebrate hyper collaboration through cooperative artwork,” Simmons said. “We embarked on a hands-on exploration that included mark-making, spraying and brushing watercolor paint, and layering paper. We experimented across design studios, sharing steps in the design process—selecting each others’ creations to merge with our own and offering feedback along the way.”
Showroom Details
In addition to showcasing Tarkett’s latest product collections, the showroom serves as a daily workspace for local employees, as well as a gathering space for client meetings and events. Large conference rooms, private offices, open collaboration areas, and a full kitchen are all surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and enjoy access to a small balcony and expansive rooftop. Clients are able to access Tarkett’s entire library of product solutions, making it an ideal place to gather inspiration for current projects.
The Fulton Market District has transformed into a notable design destination, brimming with restaurants, entertainment and some of the world’s leading architecture and design brands.
Products
The Collaborative collection includes a variety of LVT and soft-surface options. The collection’s mix of patterns and platforms—spanning carpet tile, Powerbond and LVT—provides spaces with agility to meet changing demands. The collection offers solutions for busy, collaborative areas as well as quiet, heads-down zones, enabling an environment that embraces neurodiverse work styles.
Like all Tarkett flooring, the Collaborative collection contributes to safe, healthy interiors and supports better indoor air quality; in fact, Powerbond® RS is the first soft-surface flooring with the asthma & allergy friendly® certification. As further evidence of the company’s holistic commitment to optimizing materials and minimizing climate impact, Tarkett’s near-term science-based emissions reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in January.
“As passionate advocates of the circular economy, we know that driving change for a better future is a collective effort,” said Paul Young, senior vice president, product, innovation, design & sustainability, Tarkett North America. “With the Collaborative collection, we explore this process through creativity and inclusivity—because the only way to create the future we want is by building it together.”
Showroom Summary
- Tours: For a private showroom tour, please contact: Rachel Brewer.
- Location: Tarkett at Fulton Market is located in the Fulton East Building at 215 N. Peoria, Floor 10, Chicago, IL 60607.
Tarkett Design Team
Photography
- Courtesy of Tarkett
