Nex Tower is a 27-story office building located in Manila’s resurgent business district of Makati. Designed with health, wellness, and connectivity top of mind, the tower sets a new precedent for responsible and sustainable development in the Philippines. Facing the main commercial thoroughfare of Ayala Avenue, the complex is distinguished by a striking crystalline geometry that asserts a distinctive presence in a row of premier office buildings.

The design of Nex Tower integrates nature and efficiency into a simple yet singular form. The building is boldly angled at the northeast corner to articulate views past the adjacent tower, down Ayala Avenue, and toward Ayala Triangle. At street level, the massing is sliced at the western edge to create a dramatic lobby that cuts through the entire site and connects the front pedestrian entrance to the rear drop-off area. This quasi-public space serves as a catalyst for future development.

By establishing a grand mid-block connection at the ground floor, the building’s design enhances the public realm. The soaring lobby creates a sanctuary away from the busy streets of Makati. Visitors and tenants enter from either side of the building through a 16-meter skylit atrium with tapered white marble surfaces. An 11-meter hydroponic wall evokes a sense of serenity within the bustling city, recalling the country’s natural landscapes.

Sustainability was a key consideration in the design of Nex Tower, which has achieved LEED Platinum certification. The hydroponic wall, one of the largest of its kind in the Philippines, provides tenants and visitors with fresh air and access to greenery at a grand scale. Additionally, indirect natural daylight in the building lobby reduces the need for artificial lighting. High performance glazing, optimized HVAC strategies, and daylight-responsive lighting controls create a healthy and user-focused interior environment. The tower also features rainwater collecting tanks, as well as three landscaped outdoor spaces where building tenants can access nature, including the top-floor roof garden.