Offsite exhibitions and events are the lifeblood of NYC’s design week. It always takes some careful planning and transportation shortcuts to visit as many as possible. Same as 2024, this will be a multipart series documenting what I was able to see.

Eric Weil & Friends

Sculptor and designer Eric Weil hosted a small group show at his studio in the cavernous Greenpoint Manufacturing building. Some pieces that caught my eye were Takeshi Miyakawa’s tubular table with fluorescent pink top. Louis Lim debuted a low credenza with a gravity defying curved pullout drawer. Photographer Keith Sirchio showed prints from a series of transportation themed roadside advertising. It was a good show to kick off the week and a chance to poke around some other maker spaces in the building.

Design Pavilion by Lexus

Lexus is no stranger to commissioning designers for one-off installations during the Milan Furniture Fair and DesignMiami. 2025 is the first year the automaker has a presence during NYCxDesign with a Meatpacking popup showroom and installation at tourist mecca Hudson Yards. I had high hopes for something special at the later location, adjacent to the Vessel and a short walk from the Javits center. However it’s less of a unique design installation and more product promotion. Not to say the colorfully wrapped tent and coordinated LC-500 convertible isn’t eyecatching, it seemed to be a fitting selfie backdrop. It think it would have been a stronger activation to have a lounge and something from the Lexus Design Awards exhibited in place of the GX550 and some touch screens.

Foscarini Showroom Soho

Anchoring the southern end of Greene Street for many years, Foscarini stuck to tradition by showing new lighting introduced just a few weeks prior in Milan. These included a modern take on the classic swoop arm chandelier called the Allumette. The Aplomb wall sconce features a shade made from cast color cement. Finally the Panarea / Alicudi / Filicudi pendants are made from volcanic stone marked by pits and bubbles making each one unique.

Ochre Soho

UK-based Ochre has been around since the late 1990s but recently opened a new rustic industrial showroom in Soho. Mainly known for sculptural lighting, the space is filled with pieces that have hand-made character and strong connection to naturalistic forms.

Flou Soho

One of the last Italian furniture brands to resist the jumbo space migration to Madison Ave, Flou’s showroom is peak Soho character. In a wrapper of irregular metal ceilings, exposed brick walls and derelict industrial doors were furniture and lighting with sci-fi vibes. The circular perf metal tables caught my eye as well as the gigantic illuminated X floor light? You’ve got to commit to that one.

Collectible Rooftop Finale

Showroom hopping in Soho wrapped up with sunset drinks from Collectible on the roof of the Manner Hotel. I couldn’t help take note of a pristine 90s Toyota mini truck parked on Greene Street. It’s a reminder to do a full on car spotting session in NYC sometime in 2025, Seoul’s was fun. The Manner has some great views of Midtown, Hudson Yards and Lower Manhattan. It was a good chance to reset the eyes before another full day on the NYCxDesign to-do list.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter