A space to experiment

Crafting a new language of materials in the making, The ColourNext Lab is conceived as a space for experimentation as a part of the Nilaya Anthology experience

29 May 2026

Namrata Dewanjee

Surfaces shape the way spaces are experienced. The tactility of a material, the depth of a finish or the way a surface absorbs and reflects light can influence atmosphere, perception and emotion within a space. From hand-finished plaster to muted metallic sheens and textured stone, materiality becomes a sensory language that evolves with context and interaction. It is within this understanding that Asian Paints introduces the ColourNext Lab, a living laboratory for experimentation, dialogue and bespoke creation. Established in the philosophy of ColourNext, Asian Paints’ long-running forecast and research initiative, the Lab expands beyond the realm of colour to explore evolving possibilities in materials and surface finishes.

Architects and designers are invited into an intimate mode of engagement through direct dialogue with the material team, where ideas are explored not as fixed outcomes but as open-ended investigations. Experimental and limited-edition surfaces developed over months of research form the foundation of the Lab, alongside broader explorations into new finishes, heritage palettes, spatial frameworks and artistic interventions. The surfaces showcased here emerge from months of hands-on experimentation, curiosity and material exploration. They embody a slower and more thoughtful approach to making, one that values tactility, process and foresight as much as the final aesthetic.

This collaborative structure also allows these investigations to evolve intuitively into bespoke surfaces and palettes tailored to the specific needs and character of a project. Rather than offering definitive solutions, the Lab positions materials as adaptive systems capable of responding to changing spatial narratives and emotional requirements. As part of the Nilaya Anthology experience, it also extends beyond the physical store, enabling designers and patrons to bring these material explorations into projects across locations. In doing so, ColourNext Lab reframes the relationship between colour, craft and design practice.