Office of the Future: 6 Ways Architects Worldwide Are Flipping the Workplace Model
The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.
In a rapidly evolving world, office design is undergoing a transformative shift that reflects new approaches to creating spaces where people can thrive. The winners of this year’s A+ Awards have set a new benchmark for workplace environments, showcasing approaches that not only respond to contemporary needs but also anticipate the future of work. From flexible layouts that support hybrid working models to biophilic designs that foster well-being, these A+Award-winning projects highlight the creative solutions architects are employing to redefine the modern office.
One of the most significant trends in this year’s winners is the emphasis on flexibility and adaptability. As companies navigate the complexities of remote and in-person work, the demand for versatile spaces that can easily be reconfigured has never been higher. Architects are responding with innovative designs that include modular furniture, dynamic workstations, and multi-purpose areas, enabling businesses to adapt their spaces quickly and efficiently to changing needs.
Designers are also incorporating biophilic design principles; this year’s award-winning offices feature abundant natural light, gardens, and sustainable materials that create healthier, more inspiring work environments. The A+ winners demonstrate that the future of office design is not just about aesthetics or functionality but about creating spaces that support well-being and foster a sense of community.
Choice Headquarters
By Plan Associates, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Popular Choice Winner, Office – Low Rise (1 – 4 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards
Choice Headquarters is located in Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai, surrounded by cultural treasures like Long-kao (rice harvest houses), the Wall of Chiang Mai, and traditional Thai terraces. These elements are thoughtfully integrated into the modern architecture, which features a simple plan with a four-story reinforced concrete structure centered around a courtyard that brings natural sunlight into the building.
The entrance hall is elevated for natural ventilation, and a grand staircase transitions between the first-floor plaza and the open space on the second floor, serving as a multi-purpose area for office activities, relaxation, meetings, and seminars. The space is oriented to optimize wind flow and sun shading, with the core area on the west side and long-use spaces like offices and meeting rooms on the north, south, and east sides. The column-free design creates a flexible open area, and the main staircase encourages exercise. The workspace is a mix of informal and formal spaces, fostering creativity and adaptability.
Lumber 4
By Oslotre Arkitekter, Kristiansand, Norway
Jury Winner, Office – Mid Rise (5 – 15 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards
“Lumber 4” is a six-floor commercial and office building with a recessed ground floor for commercial use and five upper floors dedicated to office spaces. The structure features mass timber construction, with glued laminated timber columns and beams, and floors made from a composite of CLT and concrete. This slim, efficient floor system spans long distances while meeting fire and acoustic requirements. The building includes diagonals on the ground floor for better vehicular access and utilizes the existing communication core from adjacent phases for lateral stability and access to office floors.
An atrium with a mass timber internal staircase is introduced between the third and fourth floors, showcasing prominent wood elements that provide warmth in winter and cooling in summer. The façade consists of prefabricated curved pine elements treated with green paint, with straight eaves creating curved shadows on the panels. Over time, the paint will weather, resulting in a dynamic façade with lighter and darker sections. The building uses wood fiber insulation and fire-treated pine cladding.
KNEM Offices
By b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos, Barcelona, Spain
Popular Choice Winner, Office – Mid Rise (5 – 15 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards
The KNEM Offices are located on a plot that was once part of the former jute spinning mill of Hermanos Godó, known as “El Cànem.” The façade of the existing building facing Doctor Trueta Street, included in the Architectural Heritage Protection Plan, has been preserved. The program is distributed in three volumes: two blocks facing the streets and a central block that joins them through a large landscaped patio.
A continuous masonry plinth runs along the perimeter, unifying the three volumes into a single programmatic and formal body. Two glass boxes, screened with an aluminum lattice evoking the weaving of jute fibers, are supported and raised on this plinth. This design contrasts the industrial past with the contemporary elements of the new building. The blocks facing the street offer large, flexible office spaces thanks to strategically located vertical cores and a post-tensioned concrete structure. The central block comprises smaller duplex-type offices open to the central passageway, reminiscent of the old industrial workshops that once populated Poblenou.
Huamu Lot 10
By Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, Shanghai, China
Jury Winner, Office – High Rise (16+ Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards
To create a sustainable mixed-use urban environment that invites tenants and visitors to experience nature and art in an active setting, Huamu Lot 10 showcases a new form of participatory urbanism. The project features three office towers and a future museum situated around a central grand plaza, landscaped with lush greenery, water features, and meandering walkways. This plaza, activated by surrounding cultural programming, is designed to accommodate large-scale artwork.
Each of the three towers is efficiently planned and rationally massed to make a strong statement and adapt to future contexts. The glass curtain wall façades provide panoramic views and ample natural light, with strong horizontal elements emphasizing rigidity. Subtle cantilevers at uniform heights create a visually connected Sky Gallery, an iconic gesture above the neighborhood. At night, these cantilevered elements are illuminated to highlight Huamu Lot 10. Stepped gardens on roofs and terraces offer verdant outdoor gathering spaces with sweeping city views.
Uniview Headquarters
By GOA (Group of Architects), Zhejiang, China
Popular Choice Winner, Office – High Rise (16+ Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards
Uniview Headquarters represents a modern, technology-driven corporate environment designed for efficiency, dynamism and functional integration. Nestled in Hangzhou’s high-tech industry zone, it extends to the southern tip of an urban landscape axis. A large sunken garden within the site connects to an urban park, serving as the district’s public green core. The headquarters’ west interface features a sweeping curve that embraces nature, while the south and east maintain a neat design, aligning with the surrounding cityscape.
The headquarters includes a 22-story administrative office tower, an eight-story R&D center, and a service and leisure hub at the base. A covered ground-level corridor facilitates smooth navigation and efficient access for staff and visitors. Designed to foster an open and vibrant atmosphere for over 5,000 employees, the R&D center offers a flat, expansive floor space on each level, connecting intimately with the functionality below. The basement serves as a leisure hub with a cafeteria, fitness center, library, café, and retail spaces.
Duntax Office
By 6717studio, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Jury Winner, Low Rise (1 – 4 Floors), 12th Annual A+Awards
Duntax Office, located in the Tan Phu District of Ho Chi Minh City, sits at an intersection with an open view but uninspiring surroundings. The construction faces challenges from global warming and environmental pollution, and the investor desired rapid completion with structural durability and city-landscape integration. The initial idea for the building was to use lightweight structures integrated with green patches and environmentally-friendly features, creating a modern workplace with an inspiring and serene atmosphere, detached from the hurried urban life.
The structure features smooth curves instead of sharp corners, offering distinct designs from different perspectives, making it stand out. Irregular greenery enhances the building’s appeal and charm. The staircase is positioned at the west end to maximize space and block heat, while workplaces are placed at the front for better lighting and views. Inspired by traditional Vietnamese architecture, the terrace includes a garden, pond, and canopy, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.
The jury and the public have had their say — feast your eyes on the winners of Architizer's 12th Annual A+Awards. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive future program updates.
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Apple Battersea features a modular design. Prefabricated solid timber avenues accommodate themed avenue bays and counter-based services within a universal framework. The design includes an Apple Pickup station, a reimagined Genius Bar for face-to-face support, and a customer experience area for visitors to try and customize devices. An energy-efficient displacement air strategy delivers conditioned air through the base of the avenues, creating a comfortable environment for staff and visitors.
For Komonokaen, the goal was to create a new landmark in Mie Prefecture by integrating two sites across the road into a seamless landscape featuring a florist, plant shop, and café. Located in a tourist area, the project places the building in a U-shape, making the road feel like part of the garden. This design encourages visitors to feel as if they are already within the space even as they pass by. The glass façade and continuous eaves create an inviting, accessible environment, promoting continuity between the interior and exterior. The interior is designed as an open space without partition walls, utilizing a “stacked beam” method to construct long beams on-site, ensuring the use of locally available lumber and craftsmanship.
SKP Chengdu, a landmark in luxury mixed-use masterplanning, is the first blueprint of its kind for fashion, technology and art. This holistic and collaborative project by Sybarite, realized with partners Field Operations and Arup, seamlessly integrates contemporary luxury and next-generation luxury. The site features a blend of urban park and underground buildings, connected by avenues of hospitality, experience, and lifestyle, creating a sense of interconnectedness.
The Commons Saladaeng, the second development from the Commons family, is a vibrant venue for various F&B outlets and other activities in Bangkok’s historic Saladaeng neighborhood. Named after a red pavilion from the past, the design pays homage to this history with red rubber corrugated sheets, chosen for their acoustic properties and visual nod to the old train station roof. The building features eight small gables, reflecting past architectural scales, supported by a specially designed M-shaped roof structure that balances the sentimental scale of the past with modern operational needs.
Apparatus is focused on lighting and objects, and has expanded to Europe with a new showroom in London. The showroom is designed by BGY ID in collaboration with Apparatus Artistic Director Gabriel Hendifar. The 4,000-square-foot retail space spans two levels in a Grade II listed building. The design reimagines a boutique store, blending contemporary influences with cultural heritage. A key requirement was a minimal, flexible setting, achieved through an accessible ceiling made with an aluminum honeycomb core and finished with bespoke plaster. The square motif on the ceiling extends to the walls with circular detailing, and the main walls feature artistic plasterwork.
The late Jeongheui Shin revived the lost tradition of Joseon sabals (ceramic bowls) from the Joseon dynasty, creating the renowned “Ido Tea Bowls” and yellow tea bowls recognized in Japan. He studied Korean glaze and soil, reconnecting and developing Korea’s ceramic heritage. His son, Yongkyun Shin, continues this legacy by adhering to traditional methods, with a focus on Deombeong Buncheong pottery. His works reflect the calm and simplicity of traditional Korean life, harmonizing with nature.
Murka Hotel is part of a rural revitalization initiative aimed at attracting urban citizens to the countryside and encouraging young locals to return and contribute to their hometown’s development. Nestled on a south-facing slope, the building complex features staggered blocks that blend seamlessly with the mountains. Using local rocks for the buildings and retaining walls creates a visually cohesive extension of the natural environment, paying homage to traditional culture and harmonizing with the village context.
The Maison’s architecture reinterprets Arabic elements with a fresh perspective, drawing inspiration from Marrakech’s rich history without replicating it. The design’s sculptural form nods to the ancient rampart walls of the Marrakech Medina, with openings that transition into private interiors, much like a sandcastle or sculpture. Deep recesses, reminiscent of traditional Mashrabiya screens, ensure bedroom privacy and create terraces that connect to the surrounding gardens.
Situated on the island of Hawaii, Kona Village offers a truly unique Hawaiian experience rooted in centuries-old culture and tradition. This reimagined resort, spread over 81 acres, draws inspiration from the rich history and local sensibilities of the ancient Ka??p?lehu. Every aspect of the property has been designed to honor the essence of the original resort, showcasing a deep respect for the natural environment and cultural heritage.
This Radisson Hotel project is tied to Ka?, a district of Antalya known for its turquoise sea, natural beauty and historical ruins. The design began with an analysis of the region’s topographic and cultural areas. Inspired by ancient Lycian granaries and the monumental architecture of Antiphellos, the design incorporates natural stone façade cladding, traditional tiles and wooden joinery. The goal was to offer a lodging experience that feels private and comfortable, akin to the comfort of one’s home, while providing beautiful social opportunities in common areas without losing touch with greenery, nature and simplicity.
Located in a redwood forest in northern California, Kresge College has been an experiment in student-driven education since 1971. Originally designed by Charles Moore and William Turnbull, the “hill town” campus features a playful village anchored by a winding pedestrian street where students could practice participatory democracy and explore new ways of living and learning. Fifty years later, Studio Gang’s campus expansion plan aims to rejuvenate this experimental environment while making it more inclusive and connected to the surrounding university and landscape.
This 20-year-old suburban school, now within an urban growth area, has been restored to meet modern land use planning standards and updated teaching requirements. Originally a two-story building in poor condition with limited amenities and no play areas, the structure lacked the necessary facilities for contemporary education. The redesigned school retains the original framework but adds a third story with a steel frame coated in plastic wood, embracing a “students as the center” philosophy.
This new community hub, located on the former Nunawading Primary School site, is interlinked with its old football oval and Tunstall Park. Built on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung People of the Kulin Nation, the site is historically referenced as a place of gathering. This heritage schoolhouse remains at the threshold, reflecting local materiality and celebrating the collective memory of those who spent their childhood there. Abstract white forms rise as a backdrop to the heritage fabric and park, creating a sense of monumentality and dignity for this important public place.
Mecanoo and MAYU’s design for the Tainan Public Library embodies the convergence of cultures, generations and histories. Inspired by Tainan’s local culture and tropical climate, the library houses the city’s cultural heritage, modern art, music, films and over a million books, including 16,000 from the Japanese occupation period. Equipped with modern library technologies, it serves as a cultural hub. The library’s most striking feature is its inverted stepped shape, supported by slender columns reminiscent of a bamboo forest.
McBride Charles Ryan has been developing projects for the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School (PEGS) senior campus for a number of years, creating a rich and diverse architectural experience. The campus is reimagined as a vibrant mini-city, with the latest addition, the ‘Palazzo della Regione,’ serving as the central meeting place. This building fosters civic engagement among students while offering flexible, utilitarian functions and a distinct civic presence. It seamlessly integrates with the existing gymnasium through a full-height operable wall, doubling the space for performances and competitions and maintaining its unique character.
The Changsha International Conference Center is located in the High-speed Railway New Town of Changsha City, overlooking Changshanan Railway Station and adjacent to the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center. The building consists of three above-ground floors and one underground floor. It features 60 conference halls and rooms that can accommodate up to 10,500 people, including a column-free main venue, a roundtable conference hall, a banquet hall, and a roof garden, making it the largest conference center in central China.
