From sterile to social: how scientific workplaces are changing

The DNA of life sciences real estate is changing. Once characterised by stainless steel, blinding-white surfaces, and lab technicians isolated in pristine glass boxes, life science buildings are evolving into more colourful, sociable places led by human-centric design.

Take Bayer’s Warsaw headquarters, which features cozy café-inspired interiors in warm autumn colors, couches, plants, and inspirational neon signs. Or Astra Zeneca’s Milan office, designed to put people first with abundant use of natural materials and recreational spaces to relax.

“Pharmaceutical, biotech and life science companies are competing with other sectors for talent,” says Adrian Davidson, EMEA Head of Design at JLL company Tétris. “We’re seeing a shift from cold, sterile spaces to comfortable, amenity-rich facilities that energize employees, support hybrid work and foster collaboration.”

With the experience and wellbeing of employees higher up the corporate agenda, amenities that are often the preserve of tech and finance corporates are cropping up more frequently in life science design briefs.

“Wellness facilities, gyms and massage rooms, plus large townhall event spaces, are appearing alongside more traditional requirements,” Davidson says.

For people not working in labs, the increase in hybrid working means a more casual, hospitality-based approach helps firms to compete with employees’ comfort-of-home environment.

Sanofi had very clear requirements for the re-design of their South African headquarters, says Davidson. Staff wellbeing was of critical importance and not just light and air quality.

“It had to support flexible working with a big emphasis on coffee culture and comfortable areas to attract people back to the office,” Davidson says. The ergonomics of every single chair was scrutinized.”

Clever mobile or modular furniture – in some cases with integrated power for screens or digital whiteboards – is key, giving users the freedom to “hack the space to suit their needs” when collaborating with colleagues, be that in person or online, Davidson says.

 Another pharmaceutical company in California created a “multi-modal” workplace by renovating its existing five storey building. Traditional workstations were combined with breakout, communal, and private spaces, including “pocket parks” intended for impromptu collaborations, small gatherings or quiet moments of reflection.

“Human-centred design makes people feel comfortable,” Davidson says. “Creating pockets of intimacy with more comfort, softness, color and visual variety, supports connectivity on a human scale – and that’s when true innovation happens.”