Multi-purpose space for material innovation hub

Previously seperate BASF departments were moved into one new premise to form a hub for material innovation – among them the designfabrik® (research and development) and Ultrasim® (simulation and testing).

Constructed on top of an old bunker on the company grounds in Ludwigshafen, the two-story building houses the new Creation Center – not only a workspace, but also a main brand touch-point for BASF’s division of Performance Materials.

The Creation Center is a main platform for activities in Performance Materials, such as

• collaboration with clients in innovative material application
• material development, simulation and testing by BASF employees
• meetings with partners and experts
• event formats like talks and workshops
• permanent and temporary presentation of products, samples and technologies

All these scenarios come with individual requirements and need to be orchestrated simultaniously.

We developed a concept for the digital infrastructure, providing all user groups with the ideal tools and conditions to work, innovate and present their results. In close collaboration with us, Just / Burgeff Architekten created an spatial concept revolving around the central Atrium which serves as the main location for collaboration, communication and events. Around it, a variety of offices, meetings rooms and workshops are arranged, tailored to different digital and analog usage scenarios.

During the whole project period, we supported BASF as the main creative and technical advisor. In this way, an efficient workflow and consistent strategic approach could be achieved.

In close cooperation, the transformation process of bringing the three dispersed departments together in one hub while maintaining their individual structure took shape. Starting off from this core idea, we formulated requirements for the room program, usage scenarios and design and integrated them in the spatial concept.