Bene Office Furniture

Novartis

Sales Office: Bene Switzerland

BASEL. The global pharmaceutical corporation is building a "Campus of Knowledge" in Basel, where a new city within the city is planned to come to life in twenty to thirty years. Architects and designers of global renown have been hired for the project. During the building phase, Novartis adapted an "interim office" in a renovated former warehouse. Bene Switzerland has convinced Novartis of its product design and open-space solutions.

Conversion and demolition works have already started. Over the next decades, the new Novartis headquarters will be built on a huge area of a former industrial plant corresponding to the size of 30 football fields. "Now and for decades to come, an extremely exciting project",Thomas Rudolphi, Bene’s Managing Director in Switzerland rejoices. "In short, it is a project of true building superlatives".

The office as top Management priority

It is indeed the boss personally who is committed to implementing the design of the "Campus of Knowledge". Novartis boss Daniel Vasella is chairing the Campus Steering Committee himself. The multinational pharmaceutical company has a clear vision of what the interior design should look like: an aesthetic, state-of-the-art yet functional environment for staff and visitors alike.

The office as laboratory

During the three- to four-year building phase, 220 staff members will be accommodated in a completely renovated "interim office" in a former warehouse which is over 100 years old and covers five storeys (called Building WSJ 103). An old office building is being demolished in the meantime to make room for the new project. At the same time, the pharmaceutical giant uses the "interim office" as an "office-laboratory" to test new layouts and various furniture manufacturers’ work.

In the test, Bene excelled by its specialised know-how and excellent performance when it came to presenting the basics – from a first business presentation to sampling, from floor plan to individual product. From the very beginning, the project was driven especially by the committed team work between the owners, the architect, and Bene.

The office under test

Novartis’ decision in favour of a communication-oriented, open-space office concept constituted a challenge: Instead of the previous one- or two-occupant cellular offices, all staff including executives will work in open space. For the modifications to be accepted by the staff, it was necessary to add "living space" features and a private touch to the office design. Bene worked out a customised solution and convinced the customer by the following features in particular:

· break-out zones for staff to find identity in open space
· table panels and screens for acoustic and visual protection and to structure the space
· colour scheme / Living Office approach
· product design

"The very light-weight and transparent touch of the furniture is compelling", says Thomas Rudolphi, "in spite of a highly efficient use of available space".