“Scientists are asked to do more—often in environments that haven’t kept pace with their demands. They need spaces that solve practical issues but also inspire them to drive innovation forward.”
Keith Bujak, WorkSpace Futures Researcher
Market Challenges
COMPETITION FOR TOP TALENT
+27%
increase in life sciences employment across major European hubs over the last decade, with further growth projected.
Insights: The UK, Germany, and Switzerland remain hotspots for life sciences hiring, with significant STEM talent concentration and demand acceleration driven by biomanufacturing and biotech scaleups.
7x
more data science job posting than 5 years ago
RISING DEMAND FOR REAL ESTATE
+50%
of life sciences office space in hubs like London and Paris are pre-let before completion.
Insights: This trend reflects rising demand for bespoke R&D environments – especially in markets with tight supply and academic proximity.
AI ACCELERATING THE PACE OF RESEARCH
70%
of pharma CEOs in Europe say AI and machine learning are critical to their innovation strategy in the next 3 years.
Insights: Generative AI is driving demand for digitally enabled, cross-functional R&D environments, where data science and biology increasingly converge.
Design Barriers to Innovation
MORE DATA THAN EVER
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Insufficient space for data analytics and visualization makes managing massive datasets more challenging.
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Workspaces are often not equipped to support long-duration, data-intensive tasks for both individual and team efforts.
DISCONNECTED TEAMS
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Frequent transitions between lab and office spaces create workflow disruptions and reduce efficiency.
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Few spaces are designed to facilitate informal collaboration, spontaneous interactions, or interdisciplinary idea-sharing.
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There are limited technology-enabled environments for seamless communication with dispersed teams and remote collaborators.
LACK OF FLEXIBILITY
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Rigid layouts make it difficult to adjust quickly for changing team sizes, equipment needs, or research priorities.
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A lack of modular, scalable workspaces hinders smooth transitions between focus work, collaboration, and hybrid workflows.
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Durable, functional designs often fail to account for the diverse work styles and preferences of employees.
Biotech Offices in Action
Innovation Commons
As the ‘heart of the company’, it serves as a central hub for connection, community, and belonging. With inclusive, multi-purpose settings, it enables socializing, casual work, and celebrates research, while offering amenities that attract and retain top scientific talent.
Collaborative Huddle
Laboratories generate large volumes of complex data and need collaborative space that adapts to variable work needs—supporting data analysis, collaboration, and sharing insights with digital and analog tools. Hybrid conferencing enables seamless collaboration with remote teams.
Data Analytics Workstations
This space fosters the Biotech & Pharma industry’s drive for innovation by offering areas for deep focus, meaningful collaboration, and rejuvenation. Ergonomic furniture and flexible layouts support complex, long-duration focus work and paired analysis, while nearby privacy options, knowledge-sharing spaces, and wellbeing features foster connection and attract and retain top talent.
Close-To-Lab Workstations
Supporting fast-paced research with seamless transitions, this space reduces travel time and provides access to a range of space types, resources, personal items, and refreshments. Individual workstations enable focus, while nearby spaces foster quick collaboration and information exchange, enhancing team efficiency.
Private Office
This private office offers a quiet, multi-functional space for deep focus, mentoring, and small-group collaboration. It provides areas for individual work, confidential meetings, and knowledge sharing, with outdoor access to support wellness and productivity.
Respite Node
This Respite Node offers a quiet space for rest or active rejuvenation, supporting wellbeing with flexible postures, privacy, lighting controls, and access to power. Biophilic design enhances health, focus, and relaxation in a fast-paced Pharma and Biotech environment.
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