# HCD 2023: A Design Professional's Top 10 Product Discoveries
The Healthcare Design Conference + Expo in New Orleans delivered an impressive showcase of innovation this year. Walking the expo floor revealed emerging trends and breakthrough products that are reshaping how we approach healthcare environments. Here are ten standout products that caught my attention and deserve recognition from the commercial design community.
## 1. Steelcase Ghost: Revolutionizing Telehealth Interactions
The collaboration between Steelcase and Logitech has produced something remarkable in the **Steelcase Ghost**—a freestanding video chat pod that transforms remote healthcare consultations. By projecting onto glass and utilizing strategic lighting, this technology creates life-like, to-scale interactions where users can actually make eye contact.
After experiencing the fully enclosed prototype firsthand, I can say this represents the most natural remote interaction available today. For healthcare settings, this could dramatically improve the empathy and personal connection essential to sensitive patient conversations.
## 2. Falkbuilt DuraFalk: Sustainable Finishing Excellence
Falkbuilt's proprietary **DuraFalk** finish addresses a critical need in healthcare design. This hermetically sealed, toxin-free finish uses an energy-efficient process that requires significantly less space than traditional high-velocity finishing systems.
The demonstration spaces at HCD were stunning, achieving beautiful, residential-style finishes perfectly suited for healthcare environments where durability and safety are non-negotiable.
## 3. Plural Rochester Lounge Chair: Award-Winning Versatility
This **2023 Nightingale Award Winner** exemplifies thoughtful healthcare seating design. The Rochester series includes lounge chairs, settees, sofas, and sleeper sofas, all featuring optional solid surface arm caps, integrated clean-out space, and field-replaceable upholstery.
What sets Rochester apart is its longevity—designed to gracefully serve healing environments through multiple lifecycle phases. Plural's signature upholstery options add that extra touch of sophistication.
## 4. National Kolo: Breaking Accessibility Barriers
The **Kolo ADA-Compliant Pod** represents a significant step forward in inclusive design. This privacy booth accommodates up to eight people for focused work and meetings, but its standout feature is true ADA compliance for office phone booths.
Seats and tables fold up to accommodate wheelchairs, while the motion-activated door closes automatically. This product makes private spaces accessible to everyone—a crucial advancement for healthcare environments.
## 5. OM Seating Plot Twist: Functional Innovation
**Plot Twist** cleverly combines work chair functionality with lounge comfort. The attached, height-adjustable writing surface moves smoothly without paddles or levers, offering predictable glide control to any desired height.
The version with backrest and height-adjustable tablet particularly impressed me—it's ideal versatile seating for clinicians in patient or exam rooms.
## 6. Carolina Chrys: Safety Meets Comfort
**Chrys** addresses the unique demands of behavioral health environments with its fusion of comfort, durability, and safety. The soothing color palette and soft, organic lines promote serenity while the tamper-resistant design and additional weighting ensure security.
This dining and lounge option proves that behavioral health furniture doesn't have to sacrifice aesthetics for safety.
## 7. Krug Zola Ottoman: Modular Durability
The **Zola Ottoman** excels in high-use public seating applications. Its modular design allows easy reconfiguration while maintaining the ability to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
The low-back version displayed at HCD particularly stood out for its weight and active seating experience—excellent qualities for behavioral health applications.
## 8. Kimball Tyba Lounge: Bringing Warmth to Wellness
**Tyba** is a fully upholstered, soft-formed armless lounge solution with companion ottoman. Available with three base options (standard, weighted plinth, or non-weighted plinth), it's generously scaled for relaxed lounging configurations.
This piece excels at bringing necessary warmth and softness to behavioral health spaces where comfort supports healing.
## 9. Wieland Soul Collection: Smart Space Solutions
The **Soul Sofa** offers clean sleeper functionality with integrated power, but the real star is the **Soul Mate**—a multi-purpose convertible cube serving as ottoman, nightstand, or chair. Up to three Soul Mates store neatly under the sofa when not needed.
The user-friendly design requires only a one-step lift motion with self-lock to convert to a chair, making it exceptionally practical for healthcare environments.
## 10. Global Willow: Patient-Centered Design Excellence
Another **2023 Nightingale Award Winner**, **Willow** was developed in collaboration with patients and healthcare professionals. This chair's welcoming form and thoughtful details make it ideal for waiting and patient spaces.
The extended comfort for longer wait times, combined with diverse color options, provides excellent opportunities for creating engaging, supportive environments.
## Looking Forward
These ten products represent more than individual innovations—they reflect the healthcare design industry's commitment to creating environments that truly serve users' needs. From accessibility and safety to comfort and technology integration, each product addresses real challenges faced by healthcare facilities today.
The emphasis on sustainability, modularity, and patient-centered design evident in these selections suggests a promising direction for healthcare environments that prioritize both function and human experience.
