Meet Kaylee Hui, the 2025 Next Work Environment Competition Experiential Category Winner, and see her innovative office experience idea at the intersection of culture and place.
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.
Check Out Chicago’s NEXT Office
Come Inside the Office
The NEXT Chicago Office is designed to be more than just a place to work. It’s a strategic environment that enhances daily experiences, strengthens company culture, and provides measurable value through productivity, talent retention, and brand visibility. The design seamlessly integrates elements of both Chinese and American cultures, drawing inspiration from the surrounding Fulton Market and Chinatown neighborhoods. By incorporating abstracted architectural forms and a color palette inspired by Chinatown, the space symbolizes the intersection of these two identities. This cultural fusion not only reflects NEXT’s mission to uplift Chinese-American businesses but also serves as a daily reminder for employees of the larger purpose behind their work, fostering a sense of pride and belonging within the company.
The office layout embraces modern workplace principles, balancing open and enclosed spaces to promote both individual productivity and collaborative innovation. Areas like the client presentation room and team meeting spaces integrate digital and physical tools to enhance communication and idea-sharing, making it easier for teams to collaborate seamlessly, whether in-person or remotely. The work café further strengthens the sense of community, offering flexible seating arrangements that accommodate everything from casual breaks to larger office events. By providing spaces designed for both focus and creativity, the office supports employee engagement, boosts productivity, and fosters a collaborative culture where everyone feels part of a unified team.
As visitors enter the office, they are immediately immersed in NEXT’s brand identity through the client celebration experience. Walking through an entryway lined with dynamic displays of completed client projects, clients are introduced to the company’s creative capabilities and vision. The reception area and monumental staircase, inspired by local architectural elements, continue this cultural dialogue, creating a memorable first impression. The Mahjong Room, a key amenity, reinforces a sense of community by providing a space for employees to connect, unwind, and celebrate their shared cultural heritage. This not only enhances the work culture but also helps retain talent, as employees feel valued and connected to a company that celebrates diversity and community, ensuring a strong return on investment through high employee satisfaction and impressive client experiences that reflects NEXT’s values.
Meet Kaylee Hui
- Recent Graduate from Arizona State University
- Bachelor of Science in Design (May 2025)
- Disability Studies Certificate
WDM: What’s next for you?
KH: I recently earned my Bachelor of Science in Design from Arizona State University’s Interior Design Program, and this summer I’m taking some time to travel, recharge, and get inspired by the spaces around me. Starting in June, I’ll be joining Corgan Phoenix full-time as an Interior Design Project Specialist in their workplace interiors studio. It’s a big step, and I’m looking forward to growing and contributing to the design community as I make the transition from student to professional.
We can’t wait to see Kaylee’s future office designs!
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:
