DOTY 2026 Best Commercial Design (Workplace: Office – Gold): EO Plus Holdings Sdn Bhd – Boost Holdings Office

The office of Axiata Group Berhad’s fintech holding arm in Kuala Lumpur designed by EO Plus Holdings Sdn Bhd was first featured in Commercial Concept Volume 14.

NOSTALGIA REIMAGINED

Malaysian childhood games inspire this playful workspace, blending nostalgia, culture and corporate identity into one collaborative atmosphere.

At the Boost Holdings Office, the story of work begins with memorable nostalgia and whimsical play as a catalyst for productivity, creativity and connection. With a design philosophy that centres on fostering unity and celebrating diversity, the concept draws inspiration from Malaysian childhood games once played in sunlit courtyards and quiet kampung streets: Congkak, Batu Seremban, Snake and Ladder and Teng Teng (Hopscotch). These familiar pastimes are translated into spatial storytelling and collaborative zones that produce engaging workspaces. The office becomes a landscape of interaction, where strategy, chance and camaraderie coexist.

Colour animates this playful narrative. Bold and bright rainbow accents punctuate a calm, neutral base, invigorating the environment in a refined fashion. These vibrant hues are not random gestures found at workstation dividers, chairs, ceiling and even glass windows; they reflect Boost’s dynamic corporate identity while recalling the lively tones of game boards and chalk-drawn hopscotch grids. The result is a balanced composition that can be described as professional yet playful, grounded yet exuberant.

Taking this colourful visual to the next level is the ample natural light flooding the interiors, additionally dissolving boundaries between inside and outside. This openness reflects the spirit of Malaysian culture which is most welcoming and expressive. Movement throughout the office is guided by colourful trails from Boost’s campaign visuals. These lines flow across frosted glass panels and carpet patterns, gently directing circulation while energising the environment.

At the reception area, visitors are welcomed by vibrant wall art reminiscent of the colourful Snake and Ladder board, its ascending paths suggesting ambition and progress. Beyond reception, the lounge offers a moment of reconnection, featuring fairy lights, dice-like stools and faux grass floor. Employees gather around congkak boards during breaks, rediscovering the simple joy of friendly competition. What once fostered childhood camaraderie now cultivates adult teamwork, reminding that collaboration often begins with shared experience.

Named after traditional games such as “Guli” and “Batu Seremban,” conference rooms have been designed to emphasise inclusivity and cooperation during important meetings. Rattan lantern lights, intricate batik-style wallpaper and patterned carpets are some of the more notable elements found here. Flexible workspace arrangements mirror the versatility and adaptability of Malaysians themselves, allowing teams to shift, regroup and evolve as needed. The layout resists rigidity, embracing fluidity as a communal strength.

Inspired by Malaysia’s beloved roadside stalls, the warung-inspired townhall is the main communal hub embodying warmth and belonging. Warm timber finishes and rattan wallpaper wrap the pantry cabinetry, evoking textures of traditional counters and woven screens. These tactile materials are set against exposed concrete and animated by peranakan-like floor tiles and frosted glass graphics, creating a dialogue between heritage and modernity. Rooted in cultural memory, the townhall becomes a gathering space aligned with corporate identity yet unmistakably local.

Proving that play and professionalism are not opposites but complementary forces, the Boost Holdings Office stands as a testament to the unity and diversity of Malaysia’s workforce. By weaving childhood games, warung culture and corporate identity into a cohesive spatial narrative, the design transforms nostalgia into motivation. It proves that a workplace can honour memory while embracing the future, creating an inspiring environment where employees feel connected, empowered and ready to move forward together.

About the Designer of the Year Awards and Best Commercial Design

The Designer of the Year Award (DOTY) aspires to discover and honour the exceptional works of talented designers from Malaysia and beyond. It sets the benchmark of excellence in design and is committed to championing them in architecture and interior.

The theme of DOTY 2026, “Celebrating Design Intelligence”, highlights how design has evolved beyond mere aesthetics to encompass functionality and sustainability, where user experience, environmentally-friendly materials and technology integration are essential to well-being and efficiency.

Best Commercial Design recognises designers who have crafted phenomenal commercial spaces with brand identity, productivity and well-being in mind. Their projects, which come under various categories, are featured in Commercial Concept.

Visit doty.com.my for more information.