UofM’s Interior Design Graduate Students Excel in the 2024 Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition
Two Master of Interior Design students from the University of Manitoba have distinguished themselves on the North American stage, placing both in the top 28 out of over 1,600 entries in this year’s celebrated Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition. Oladunsi Oladejo and Noa Goldberg have demonstrated outstanding research, creativity, and innovation in their forward-thinking of workplace design solutions, reflecting the department’s commitment to excellence in design education.
Competing in IDES 7220 – Masters Studio 3: The Future of the Office, led by sessional instructor Kleighton Burns, MID3 students Oladejo and Goldberg explored the evolving nature of workspaces. Through their studio projects, they integrated critical research to propose solutions that address the needs of contemporary workplaces. Their competition project focuses on a new office space in Chicago, IL, designed to house an independent global creative advertising agency called “NEXT”. Both students planned and designed NEXT’s new Chicago office, which spans 2-levels and approximately 16,000 square feet.
Designing for Autonomy (Top 28)
Oladunsi Oladejo’s project envisions the workplace as a destination of choice, where autonomy and empowerment drive employee satisfaction and productivity. The design proposes a flexible work environment that allows employees to take control over how, when, and where they work. This adaptability ensures that individuals can shape their experiences to best support creativity, collaboration, focus, and well, being.
“The curated work environment features warm wood tones and bold colours, reflecting the company’s values of approachability and expressiveness,” Oladejo explained during her studio presentation. A podcast studio wildcard space further enhances the office by providing a platform for storytelling, knowledge, sharing, and fostering community engagement. More than just a workspace, the design transforms the office into a dynamic hub for innovation and collaboration, a workplace that inspires both employees and clients alike.
Authenticity in the Workplace (Top 5 – Finalist)
Noa Goldberg’s project takes inspiration from Chicago’s reputation as the “City of Neighbourhoods” and applies this principle to the office environment. The concept focuses on transparency, experience, and pathos, three key elements that contribute to an inclusive and authentic workplace culture.
Goldberg’s design prioritizes open communication and accountability through strategic spatial planning, balancing public and private work areas to reinforce a culture of trust. The Music Lounge and Recording Studio wildcard space further enriches the office experience, allowing employees to connect on a deeper level through shared storytelling, music, and creative expression. Additionally, elements reminiscent of home, such as a communal kitchen and living room, inspired areas, foster a sense of belonging and comfort, reinforcing the workplace as a “second place” where employees feel valued and engaged.
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Shaping the Future of Workplace Design
The Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition is a platform for emerging designers to challenge conventional workplace solutions and push the boundaries of design thinking. Both Oladejo’s and Goldberg’s projects reflect the goals of IDES 7220 – Masters Studio 3, which encourages students to critically engage with workplace programming, including corporate culture, global trends, and evolving user-experience needs.
Their success in the Steelcase NEXT competition highlights the strength of UM’s Interior Design program in equipping students with the skills and vision necessary to redefine the future of the workplace.
Update: Noa Goldberg has been selected as one of the Top 5 Finalists for the design competition and will be traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the coming days. They will have the opportunity to present their project to a panel of professional designers and industry leads from across North America. We are proud that Noa will represent Canada as the only Canadian design student selected as a finalist.
Congratulations to both Oladunsi Oladejo and Noa Goldberg for their outstanding achievements!