Next Office's Vision for Purpose-Driven Workspaces

CXOToday recently sat down with Akshay Manuja, Co-Founder of Next Office, to discuss the company’s new brand identity and its approach to modern office design.

Next Office has adopted “Design with Purpose” as its new identity, reflecting a natural evolution in the company’s vision. This rebranding aligns with the company’s commitment to creating innovative, sustainable, and future-ready offices. In practice, it means crafting tailored, end-to-end solutions that prioritize functionality, wellness, and sustainability.

“Design with Purpose” means more than just aesthetics. It involves spatial strategy, interior design, modular furniture, and project execution that embody organizational identity, foster collaboration, and support hybrid work trends. By integrating technology and sustainable practices, Next Office ensures that workspaces are adaptable and high-performing.

Starting in 2020, amidst the pandemic, Next Office designed offices for a disrupted world. The shift to remote work taught them the importance of adaptable, human-centric, and hybrid-ready spaces. They prioritized flexible layouts, modular furniture, and seamless tech integration to support evolving workstyles. Mental wellness zones with natural light and biophilic design were also embedded to address rising stress and burnout.

The Design & Build model is rapidly becoming India’s preferred approach. Businesses demand speed, brand-aligned design, and end-to-end accountability. Next Office’s clients, including TVS, Regus, and Pokerbaazi, choose them for their seamless process, which eliminates misaligned vendors and ensures faster turnarounds and stronger brand integration.

Innovation in workplace design at Next Office means creating spaces that solve problems and stay ahead of change. Their approach combines data-driven insights with adaptable layouts, ensuring workspaces enhance both productivity and well-being. Modular designs and dedicated wellness zones address the growing need for mental health support, while sustainability is a core focus.

Designing offices that “feel good” involves prioritizing acoustic comfort, organic textures, natural light, and airflow. Next Office integrates sustainable materials and modular designs to create sensory-rich environments that enhance well-being and productivity.

The demand for net-zero offices and carbon-conscious design elements is growing. Next Office responds to this trend with sustainable practices, including local sourcing, eco-friendly materials, and energy-efficient systems. They also integrate natural elements like light and airflow to create carbon-conscious workspaces.

Designing for multi-generational teams requires addressing diverse expectations with tailored solutions. Next Office creates separate pods and private corners for older employees, providing quiet, focused spaces. For Gen Z and millennials, they design open lounges and collaborative hubs, ensuring all generations benefit from efficient, hybrid-ready environments.

Neurodiversity and inclusion are now fundamental considerations in modern workplace design. Next Office’s designs incorporate sensory-sensitive zones with adjustable lighting and acoustics, allowing employees to choose spaces that suit their working style. Modular designs enable personalization at individual and team levels.

The commercial interior landscape is undergoing significant shifts, driven by evolving workplace needs and sustainability imperatives. Trends include resimercial design, biophilic and wellness-centric design, and workspaces that evolve into brand experiences. Digital twin technology is also revolutionizing space planning, and hybrid work has refined spatial needs with micro-zoned environments.

Next Office’s “Design with Purpose” philosophy integrates these trends to craft offices that balance productivity, inclusivity, and brand distinction.