BASF North American Headquarters

Project Details

Project Description

FROM THE ARCHITECTS:

BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, unveiled its new North American headquarters on May 4 at The Green at Florham Park. The 325,000 square foot, state of the art corporate headquarters will house 1,400 employees. BASF engaged Gensler, the leading global interior design and architecture firm, to design a progressive and sustainable workplace environment that reflects the BASF vision, brand and culture. Gensler worked collaboratively with developer, The Rockefeller Group and base building architect, KPF to bring BASF’s sustainable vision to life. With BASF’s dual LEED targets--LEED Platinum for the building design and the interiors--the headquarters is expected to be one of the greenest buildings in New Jersey.

Gensler partnered with BASF to design a space that would enrich the employee experience through a highly collaborative and flexible interior workplace design concept that “creates chemistry through connections.” Connections between employees are enabled through 90 percent open space neighborhoods, use of glass for a more transparent environment, and sweeping, intercommunicating stairs to connect departments between floors. The company’s brand, sustainable mission, and business goals are reinforced in the space, with BASF messages and images weaved throughout the workplace. Meeting spaces, collaborative areas, closed confidential rooms, and amenities are designed so that employees can enjoy access to daylight from around the office and most importantly perform at the highest-level possible.

The Gensler design team created a myriad of one-of-a kind spaces for BASF, including a Welcome/Innovation Center. This interactive showcase of BASF innovations provides guests, customers and employees with an overview of the breadth and scope of BASF’s portfolio and capacity for driving sustainable chemistry solutions. Gensler-designed amenities give employees access to a variety of dining spaces both indoors and out which have wireless technology to support mobile working. The spaces can double as a location for informal gatherings and larger meetings. Gensler also designed a learning and development center, which seats up to 120 people and features a unique stadium-like space for lectures and Town Hall meetings, to support BASF’s commitment to a life of learning and sharing.

Gensler shares BASF’s commitment to sustainability and utilized green design practices wherever possible in the design process. In order to target LEED Platinum certification, the interiors incorporate numerous energy conserving strategies including interior lighting designed at less than .7 watts per square foot, daylight harvesting, private offices outfitted with sensors to further eliminate lights activating when unoccupied, and an under floor air distribution system which provides employee climate control and energy Savings.

“The BASF project embodies a true commitment to environmental sustainability, and the creation of a workspace that is an inspiring environment for people to focus, learn, collaborate and socialize,” shares Brenda Nyce Taylor, Principal and Design Director at Gensler. “Gensler is honored to have partnered with BASF on this project that sets a high standard for practicing game-changing environmental responsibility.”