Congratulations to all of the Future Shapers who entered cycle 6 of our Innovation Competition. Many entries later, our jurors have narrowed the field to the following shortlist of finalists. Across the categories, a broad range of creative and in practice solutions came in from around the globe and we are excited to share the shortlist of finalists along with brief descriptions.

Professional Finalists:

Siem Reap House & Commune, The Room Architecture and Design

A welcoming hub in Siem Reap that brings together coworking, co-living, and cultural exchange. Created to spark connection, creativity, and a sense of belonging for local and global changemakers.

Brooks Running Headquarters, NBBJ

The nation’s #1 running shoe designer is based in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s not Nike. With a singular focus on creating the world’s best running gear, Brooks’ new headquarters embodies the experience of a transformative run and innovation that makes it remarkable.

Sculpting Belonging: Experiential Systems for Connection, FYOOG

Fleurish and Embodied are participatory sculptural systems that transform environments into living archives of reflection and connection, showing how design can sculpt belonging and create experiences that resonate far beyond the moment.

Rightsize Facility Showroom – Chicago, Rightsize Facility

Rightsize Facility’s Chicago showroom is a fully immersive, sustainability-driven space where biophilic touches like moss walls meet recycled materials, wellness-certified furnishings, and smart tech illustrating our “Planet First” vision for the workplace of tomorrow.

Modern Buildings Deserve Modern Period Care, Ellen Cynar

Modern workplaces and buildings have evolved to prioritize wellness and experience, but period care remains outdated. UNICORN fills this gap with a dispenser that complements modern design, aligns with employee/visitor expectations, and improves building value.

The Turf Design Experience Center, Turf Design

Turf’s new Design Experience Center showcases its acoustic capabilities through diverse zones: design, product development, and client collaboration. The space prioritizes varied workstyles, well-being, and features a prototyping area and immersive showroom.

Confidential Client, Gensler

The advanced technology center sets the tone for innovation by delivering a collaborative, flexible, transparent workplace. The employee-centric workplace design infuses hospitality-style amenities, outdoor connections, and comforts of home to attract top tech talent.

Digantara, Studio AsA

At Digantara’s Bengaluru office, we turned noise, one of India’s biggest workplace challenges, into an advantage. By rethinking sound through zoning, acoustics, and materiality, we designed a workplace where employees can explore and grow. Lets listen to the Sound of Productivity.

Re:Space — Rethinking Work, Reusing the World, Avila Spaces

Re:Space — Rethinking Work, Reusing the World: An innovative outdoor coworking concept that transforms recycled materials, solar energy, and rainwater systems into a new hybrid environment for the future of work.

Designing Workplaces for Neurodiversity: The Next Step in Inclusion, TRIA Architects

Neurodivergent employees often bring extraordinary, business-critical skills – but when workplace design fails to be neuroinclusive, we risk losing that collective strength. The future of work will be measured by how well we design for difference.

Gardner Skelton, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc.

Gardner Skelton transforms a 1960s industrial shell into a joyful, wellness-driven law office. Through bold storytelling, biophilic design, and community art, the adaptive reuse fosters connection, flexibility, and well-being, redefining what the legal workplace can be.

Winners will be announced here on October 1st!

Mark your calendars and plan to visit workdesign.com to see the list of winners. learn a little bit more about them and gain inspiration from their winning submissions.