We’re proud to reveal the winners of this year’s Next Work Environment Student Competition—an initiative that drew bold, interdisciplinary submissions from students around the globe. With a 700% increase in entries over last year and submissions spanning architecture, computer science, business, and beyond, this year’s competition proved that the future of work is top-of-mind for the next generation of innovators.
Our jurors were impressed not only by the creative thinking and professional-level execution, but also by how students addressed today’s most urgent workplace challenges with ideas that were refreshing, thoughtful, and sometimes entirely unexpected.
Overall Competition Winner
Tk Hybrid Pod – Redefining Work & Empowerment
Adama Traoré, Intec Sup
A solar-powered, mobile co-working and training pod bringing digital access, entrepreneurship, and creativity to underserved youth and women in Mopti, Mali. Where work, learning, and hope meet.
See the submission & meet the winner
Workplace Category Winner
Seamless Synergy: Redesigning the Future of Work at Fujitsu
Faila Pierre-Louis, Florida International University
“Seamless Synergy” transforms Fujitsu’s workspace by bridging hierarchical barriers, and fostering harmony, fluidity, and integration throughout the workplace environment.
See the submission & meet the winner
Experiential Category Winner
NEXT’s Chicago Office
Kaylee Hui, Arizona State University
Chicago’s NEXT office blends modern workplace design with rich Chinese-American identity, creating a culturally rooted, community-focused environment that boosts productivity, inspires daily users, and impacts visiting clients and partners.
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Pick-A-Problem Category Winner
Commuter Connect
Rylee Zandstra, Miami University (Ohio)
Commuter Connect is a solution to the long, boring commute millions of Americans, including myself, face every day. It provides a variety of features including traffic updates, media recommendations, carpool options, and commuter survival kits for the optimal commute!
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Third Space Category Winner
Drive-Thru IT – Technology Help On-the-Go
Marwan Shagar, Ibrahim Bilau, Jingyuan Shen – Georgia Institute of Technology
“Drive-Thru IT – Technology Help On-the-Go” delivers age-inclusive tech support for older remote workers, featuring drive-thru laptop exchanges, drive-in tutorial stations, and shared workspaces designed to reduce technostress, build confidence, and promote digital independence.
See the submission & meet the winners
Meet The Runner Ups & Honorable Mentions
Workplace Category
Runner Up: NeuroNook, Anouk Huijsmans + Izzy Lodge – van der Kooij, Breda University
Honorable Mention: Roomlets- Work from 2nd Home, Lana Longworth, Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universität
Honorable Mention: Roomlets- Work from 2nd Home, Lana Longworth, Ludwigs-Maximilians-Universität
Experiential Category
Runner Up: Re-imagining Room 2120 and Wayfinding Design, Naomi Richardson, Texas State University
Honorable Mention: A comfortable workplace of the future, controlled by AI, Zhasmin Hayrapetyan, Yerevan State University
Honorable Mention: Integrated Facility Services Platform, A.W.Rusin Thathsara, University of Moratuwa
Pick-A-Problem Category
Runner Up: Mind Space – A Quiet Wellness Corner for Every Workplace, Isuru Priyanjith, University of Moratuwa
Honorable Mention: Studio Kate Design Firm, Katherine Rudini, Purdue University
Honorable Mention: Designing a Dynamic and Human-Centered Office Space, Grace Tarler, Miami University
Third Place Category
Runner Up: Bridging the Gap: The Rise of ‘Community Pods’ as the Third Place of the Future, Binuri Bologngna, University of Mortuwa
Honorable Mention: LinkWork, Sophia Padalino + Sebastian Collins, Conestoga College
Honorable Mention: The Merge: A Third Place for Purposeful Work and Community, Brody Bernecker, Miami University
Thank you to every student who entered and to our sponsors and jurors who made this year’s competition possible. The future of work has never looked more promising!
Workplace Professionals
Your competition opens in June! Make sure you subscribe to our Monday newsletter here to be the first to learn about the 2025 categories
The 2025 Next Work Environment Student Competition is generously supported by the following partners.
Tango is a leading provider of Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS), trusted by thousands of global businesses to optimize space management, lease portfolios, facilities maintenance, and more. As the future of work continues to evolve, Tango’s innovative software helps organizations navigate this change, offering solutions for office reservation, visitor management, energy and sustainability, and construction project oversight. With a focus on flexibility and efficiency, Tango empowers businesses to stay agile in a dynamic environment, providing the insights and tools needed to make informed decisions and drive operational success.
Kimball International is a leading commercial furnishings company with deep expertise in the Workplace, Health, and Hospitality markets. For over 70 years, our brands have seized opportunities to customize solutions into personalized experiences, turning ordinary spaces into meaningful places. Our family of brands includes Kimball, National, Etc., Interwoven, David Edward, Kimball Hospitality, and D’style.
National, a brand of Kimball International, joined the contract office furniture market in 1980 with a goal to be a standout. Determined to offer customers a better value with shorter lead times, National created a brand by successfully delivering innovative products that were on budget and on time. Today, that foundation still holds true. Our exceptional value, combined with design-driven products, on-time delivery, and our dedication to customer experiences has established us as a leader in the furniture industry.
Allwork.Space is the leading digital media platform dedicated to the Future of Work. For over 20 years, we’ve provided in-depth coverage, expert insights, and innovative solutions for professionals navigating the evolving workplace landscape. Our platform serves leaders in flexible work, workplace strategy, HR, coworking, and commercial real estate, helping them stay ahead of industry trends. Through our news, research, and partnerships, we empower businesses to shape the future of work.
Special thanks to our 2025 industry Partners:
