PAVED STATES — Neocon — Chicago 2025
Paved States presented a curated exploration of experimental design within NeoCon, transforming a suite at The Mart into a hybrid gallery and retail environment. The exhibition highlighted the work of emerging and established designers, drawing on Chicago’s architectural and material heritage—particularly its Brutalist legacy—to reinterpret industrial materials like concrete, steel, glass, and brick into tactile, concept-driven furniture, objects, and home goods.
The show emphasized the intersection of craft, narrative, and material innovation, offering visitors an immersive experience where design could be engaged directly: objects could be studied, handled, and purchased, while designers were accessible to discuss their processes. Coverage from Sixtysix Magazine and Dezeen noted Paved States’ commitment to experimental approaches, material storytelling, and a distinctly Chicagoan design sensibility, positioning the exhibition as a notable platform for emerging voices within NeoCon’s broader commercial landscape.
Featuring the Bubble Chair and Orb Lamp.
Participants: Anna Stechschulte, Hanneke Lourens, Noam Atelier, Christian Borger, Cody Norman, Ian Alistair Cochran, Siete Studio, Jude x Aya, Room-File, Dollyfox, Ia Kutateladaze
Curators: Abigail Grohmann, Chris Force with Sixty Six Mag
Photo by Chris Force
Photo by Chris Force
Photo by Chris Force
Photo by Chris Force
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
Photo by Rachel Purry
