Merck Expands Global Headquarters in Darmstadt
Merck plans to further develop the Darmstadt site into a contemporary, attractive global headquarters in order to sustainably strengthen its innovative power and attractiveness. For this purpose, the pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company presented a framework plan that defines the required basic architectural structures. The plan is part of the Group-wide strategic "Fit for 2018" growth program, which Merck has instituted to become more efficient and innovative. The size of the investment will be determined by the final scope of the overall project.
"In essence, it's about reflecting our slogan ‘Merck – Living Innovation’ in our architecture," said Kai Beckmann, Executive Board member with responsibility for the Darmstadt site. "The headquarters of a corporate group is not simply a collection of functional buildings. It conveys a message, specifically how we see ourselves as a company and how we want to be perceived." Current projects such as the construction of two energy stations and the official opening of Merck Serono headquarters in October of this year are also in line with the framework plan. The Darmstadt headquarters of Merck, which will be celebrating its 350th anniversary in 2018, is Merck's largest production and research location worldwide. Around 8,800 people work here.
At the heart of the planning is an innovation center, which is intended to become a hub of innovative strength at Merck. This building is to offer employees from all divisions and units space for interdisciplinary collaboration for the duration of a project. According to the current plans, a new employee restaurant will be built adjacent to the innovation center. The two buildings are to be connected by shared entrances.
Another important objective is to open the site externally. The site is to come across as being more open and accessible to customers, business associates, employees and the community. Therefore, the plans include a visitors' center on Frankfurter Strasse, which will house conference rooms for customers and applicants as well as a restaurant for guests.
The extensive redesign of the site will also involve urban redevelopment activities. Merck is currently engaged in an intensive dialogue with the city of Darmstadt on how to upgrade Frankfurter Strasse into an avenue. The planned visitors' center on one side and the innovation center on the opposite side of the street are to be linked by a central area with the Pützer Tower, a listed historic building, as its central landmark. Detailed plans have not been drawn up yet. "It's in the nature of such a project for plans to change," explains Beckmann. "After all, we're talking about a construction project that will be conducted over a period of several years."
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