CHICAGO – Thos. Moser Contract division expands its Element line, introducing a leather-wrapped drawer front, two sizes of Element bookcases and adapts its credenza to serve as a desk return or filing cabinet.

The Element Collection, designed by the company’s director of design & product development, Adam Rogers, now includes an Element Credenza with leather-wrapped drawer fronts, and an all-new Element Bookcase, available in in two standard sizes or customizable.

The Element Credenza is being shown this year as a multi-tasker, functioning as a filing cabinet, a freestanding credenza, desk return, or as a buffet.

All Element line furniture is crafted of solid wood components, using traditional joinery techniques, adhering to the classically unadorned forms associated with Thos. Moser.

Other items in the Element Collection include a work surface in the form of a desk or table, coffee table, hall table and a bench. Some items have been designed in collaboration with project architects, and others in the Thos. Moser shop. Rogers says the Element line can be uniquely specified for end use, whether corporate, educational, civic, or hospitality. (Moser is giving away an Element Bookcase to one NeoCon 2014 attendee, with the drawing to be held at the end of the show.)

Moser says the Element line conforms to user trends identified in research from the Gensler 2013 Design Forecast:

“A mobile and collaborative workforce requires new ways to team and connect. Our research shows that as much as 50 percent of the workplace should support collaboration and interaction. All this suggests opportunities for a new generation of products that facilitate the different modes of work that need to coexist in the workspace.”

Also new for Moser Contract is the Pacific Chair, available in either an upholstered or natural wood seat, and with an armless task chair version and also as a guest chair with arms. Rogers says the Pacific Chair pairs influences from ancient Japanese forms with modern western lines to reach a simple, functional form that firmly embraces the Thos. Moser aesthetic.

The Pacific Chair is also built of sustainably harvested North American Hardwoods. Depending on the wood species selected, the Pacific Chair is available in several finishes, each designed to withstand the rigors of regular use.

By way of background, Moser Contract is the dedicated team within Thos. Moser, the Maine consumer craft furniture maker founded in 1972. Thos. Moser describes its furniture as highlighting "the natural beauty of wood with unembellished, graceful lines and echoes of numerous antique traditions and contemporary influences – ranging from Shaker, Arts & Crafts, Mission, German Bauhaus and Danish Modern." www.mosercontract.com.