Opening Cocktail Reception
Mon. June 8
5—7 PM
Opening night for Paved States Edition 02 and the launch of Sixtysix Issue 16. Drinks, a DJ, and the first look at the show.
RSVP
Suite 121 · The MART Lobby
During NeoCon, Paved States × Haworth DesignLab transforms THE MART's lobby into an environment entirely its own. Part gallery, part exhibition, part retail space, unfolding as a series of lived-in settings anchored by a central analog lounge. An exploration of what living looks like next.
The 2026 Paved States × Haworth DesignLab installation takes over THE MART's lobby and Suite 121 with work from a continental roster of emerging designers across furniture, lighting, sculpture, and the in-between.
The space includes a curated concept store presented by Gantri, a Sixtysix-curated bookstore and newsstand stocked with the most interesting design and lifestyle magazines, and an analog lounge featuring curated playlists, guest DJ sessions, and a place to sit and listen.
Throughout the week, the space hosts conversations with curator Patricia Urquiola, Chris Force, and the exhibiting designers themselves. Expect a few unexpected workshops along the way.
13 designers from across North America, working in furniture, sculpture, lighting, and the in-between.
Throughout the week, the exhibition hosts moderated conversations, panels, and workshops, bringing exhibiting designers, mentors, and special guests together for honest, unscripted exchanges during one of design's most influential weeks. No registration required for panels. Workshops require registration here.
Opening night for Paved States Edition 02 and the launch of Sixtysix Issue 16. Drinks, a DJ, and the first look at the show.
Patricia Urquiola · Curator & Designer · with the exhibiting designers of Paved States
Patricia takes the chair across from each of the exhibiting designers and asks the questions only another designer would think to ask. The instincts behind the work, the doubts that sharpen it, the hopes that pull it forward. A conversation about process, formation, and what each of them is reaching for next.
Tim Nicholson aka Secret of Manna · Celebrity Jeweler & Artist
A former video game designer turned metalsmith, Tim Nicholson built his practice transforming pop culture references into experimental wearable art. At Paved States, he walks you through his design process from concept to material selection, then guides you in creating your own piece. Each participant is custom molded on-site and leaves fitted for a one-of-a-kind silver tooth cap, handcrafted with Secret of Manna and delivered after the event.
Benjamin Edgar, Designer · Moderated by Chris Force, Editor-in-Chief, Sixtysix
Benjamin Edgar in conversation with Chris Force, Editor-in-Chief of Sixtysix, on building a practice without a rulebook. The conversation digs into how emerging designers develop a point of view, navigate the industry on their own terms, and find a framework for making work that matters.
Patricia Urquiola · Curator & Designer · with the exhibiting designers of Paved States
Patricia takes the chair across from each of the exhibiting designers and asks the questions only another designer would think to ask. The instincts behind the work, the doubts that sharpen it, the hopes that pull it forward. A conversation about process, formation, and what each of them is reaching for next.
Noel Mercado · Chicago Designer & Artist
In this hands-on leather wallet workshop, Noel guides participants through hand-stitching and stamping on pre-cut leather patterns. Each attendee constructs their own custom wallet or cardholder, personalizing it with custom letter and number stamps—initials, names, whatever feels right—while drawing on Noel's distinctive approach to craft and cultural storytelling.
Sinead Cleary & Liz Topp, Founders, Nerine
In this hands-on workshop, participants explore the fundamentals of custom floral design guided by the founders of Nerine. Each attendee composes their own arrangement to take home in a silver vessel, while learning how flora, form, and texture function as design elements in everyday spaces.
PAVED STATES is a hybrid collective exhibition and concept store presented by Sixtysix magazine.
This year's collaboration between Paved States × Haworth DesignLab is presented by Sixtysix magazine and Haworth, with support from NeoCon, IIDA, Rivian, DS & Durga, and Gantri.
Review the first edition of Paved States here.
