As innovators at the forefront of the MedTech world, Boston Scientific were looking for a highly advanced space that could keep up with their equally innovative people.
As part of our global partnership, Boston Scientific worked with Unispace to increase their footprint to factor in projected team growth, and create a new workspace and MedTech training centre for their team in Dusseldorf.
In order to find the right space, Unispace first launched a feasibility study looking at several buildings before settling on the perfect location in the new Ratingen business district, just a stone’s throw away from the airport.
After launching a global survey in 2020 with Boston Scientific that gathered over 15,000 responses, Unispace utilised these results to understand how their employees globally, and in Dusseldorf, wanted to most effectively and happily work. The outcome was mostly hybrid, informing our designers to produce a future-proofed and accurate desk-sharing ratio, department adjacencies and room count. The survey also helped to update Boston Scientific’s global guidelines to incorporate post-pandemic behaviours. Dusseldorf’s office was the first to incorporate them.
SPACES FOR SCIENCE
Split across two floors, the floorplate was sectioned into three parts that acted as a natural partition for each neighbourhood. The lower floor catered for visitors and external physicians receiving training in their MedTech training centre – the Institute of Advanced Science – complete with a highly advanced laboratory with special laser proof blinds, fully medical-grade surfaces and a double airlock entry for maximum safety for the lasers and equipment. Also nearby is a reception space and a breakout lounge to relax, dine and socialise during training breaks.
SPACES FOR PEOPLE
On the upper floor, designed to be a homely workspace for Dusseldorf-based teams, is the Town Square cafeteria: a flexible space for dining, socialising or ad hoc meetings and touchdown work, plus the furniture could be rearranged for events if desired. Open-plan workspaces were nestled between dedicated project areas for collaboration, focus and problem-solving with a quiet library space for mindfulness or focus work along with touchdown booths and flex areas for collaboration space and team gatherings.
GOING GREEN
Everywhere you looked in Boston Scientific’s new workplace was a reference to nature and sustainability. The atmosphere felt truly natural with wall panels and overhead suspended lighting made from natural timber, cork, recycled felt, and naturally preserved moss. The overhead acoustic panels were strategically positioned to guide team members throughout the space, playing with the floorplate rhythm and flow. The acoustic moss panels over collaboration and social spaces were also used as beautiful yet efficient sound absorbers.
As a nod to the local environment, German flora textures and patterns that resemble lichen were incorporated into the carpets, textures and finishes, along with abstract leaf motifs embedded into meeting room carpets. Planting can also be found suspended above touchdown work benches, in Town Square benches and overhead lighting for a unique and innovative way to bring green elements into the space.
Project: Boston Scientific
Location: Dusseldorf, Germany
Design Studio: Unispace
Photo Credit: Martin Gaissert
Website: unispace.com
