Textiles, Trends and Insights into Workplace Design Today
As employers struggle to attract employees back to the workplace, questions around the purpose of the office and its role in supporting not only environmental but also human health are top of mind. What role do textiles play in the design of healthy, engaging offices and what are the drivers behind the design trends we can expect to see going into 2023? In this episode, we sit down with Heather Bush, Chief Creative Officer of Carnegie Fabrics, and Carnegie product designer Mary Holt, to answer these questions and others about how textiles can help create more impactful, comfortable and sustainable environments for occupants.
Meet Our Guests
Heather Bush is the Chief Creative Officer of Carnegie Fabrics and has been a leader at the company for the past 26 years. As an entrepreneurial visionary in contract textiles, she has developed a uniquely innovative, market-driven product strategy that marries craft, technology and experimentation to drive forward Carnegie’s tradition of continuous innovation. Heather has been instrumental in leading the development of Carnegie’s revolutionary, award-winning Xorel® brand, which provides a durable and sustainable alternative to PVC materials, including Biobased Xorel: the world’s first plant-based high-performance commercial-grade textile. Her work over the years has helped ensure Carnegie’s reputation for ongoing and comprehensive commitment to the environment and responsible innovation through every part of its business cycle.
As a product designer with over 30 years of experience, Mary is passionate about solution-driven design and ethical and sustainable product development. Bringing a unique design perspective to the leadership team at Carnegie, Mary has helped guide product strategy at the firm with a commitment to continuous innovation and meet evolving market needs. Since 1999, Mary has enjoyed collaborating with designers worldwide, working on hospitality, healthcare, and corporate interiors. She’s received several recognitions, including Best of NeoCon, MetropolisLikes, and Interior Design's HiP awards.
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Market Content Director
Market Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Market Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Robert's work has earned him industry-wide recognition throughout his career, including:
- ASBPE Award (2019, 2018, 2017, 2015)—Best Regularly-Contributed Column; retrofit
- TABPI Award (2017, 2016)—Top 25 Entries, Cover Story; Retail Environments
- WPA Maggie Award (2011, 2010, 2008)—Best Publication, Trade; interiors+sources
- FOLIO: Eddie Gold Award (2022, 2007)—Best Feature Article & Special Section; interiors+sources
- Contributing author of ASID’s 2020 Outlook and State of Interior Design repor, as well as The State of the Interior Design Profession (Fairchild Books, 2010), which earned a place on the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers’ “50 Must Read, Must Have” book list.