Office of the Future: 6 Ways Architects Worldwide Are Flipping the Workplace Model

The demand for versatile spaces that can easily be reconfigured has never been higher; here’s how architects are delivering.

Eric Baldwin

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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.