The new office building for biotechnology company Genmab has recently been completed at Utrecht Science Park. With branches in Copenhagen and Princeton, New Jersey, the company’s new facility integrates interior design and decoration to reflect its global presence. The building’s design emphasizes an open work culture and strong interaction with the external environment, prioritizing sustainability and ample natural light to create a comfortable, healthy, and inspiring workspace for both employees and visitors.
Genmab is an international biotechnology company focused on developing antibodies for cancer treatment. Due to significant growth in recent years, a new office space was required. Rooted in Scandinavian heritage, the design puts strong emphasis on aesthetic appeal. The building aims to enhance the company’s visibility, foster employee interaction, and improve collaboration with external partners. Designed by Cepezed and Cepezed Interior, the building also serves as a flagship to attract top researchers.
The striking, minimalist building is located on the main road of Utrecht Technology Park. It encompasses offices, laboratories, and extensive support spaces such as conference centers, auditoriums, technology cafes, and restaurants. The structure features an open layout with generous space and excellent views. It consists of two five-story buildings facing each other with an atrium in between. An underground parking garage occupies the entire footprint below.
The building’s compact design and alignment of the two volumes optimize the site’s use. Facilities on the first floor include a conference center, auditorium, café, gym, bicycle parking, storage, and waste room. The atrium platform on the second floor features square-shaped elements and is surrounded by auxiliary spaces such as a coffee bar and an open kitchen with cooking capabilities. In the office wing, conference rooms line the atrium, while fixed workspaces are positioned closer to the façade. The top three floors accommodate offices and laboratories with increased ceiling heights, allowing for flexible use — offices can be converted into labs and vice versa.
The façade features vertically hinged glass components, with frames concealed behind an enclosed aluminum exterior. The atrium façade is fully transparent, creating a spacious open area that is visible from outside, significantly enhancing the building’s appearance. A standout feature of the atrium is the large islands—each over eight meters in diameter—arranged in a stepped formation, seemingly floating in space. These islands provide flexible areas for meetings, discussions, and collaborative work. One island serves as a boardroom, equipped with curved heated glass walls, a large table illuminated by the glowing company logo, and custom furniture that integrates environmental controls and the latest display technology.
The interior design is light, clean, and stylish, featuring extensive use of wood and other natural materials. The integration of the floor into the transparent office space visually widens the corridors. In terms of sustainability, the Genmab office building has achieved the prestigious BREEAM Excellence certification.
Design Drawings
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Office Facilities, Sustainability
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Architect: Cepezed
Area: 11,178 m²
Year: 2018
Manufacturers: AutoDesk, EeStairs, Espero, Finesse, Inteco, Interior Glassolutions, MAARS, VELUX Commercial, Velux
Lead Architect: Cepezed
Interior Design: Cepezinterieur
Client: Genmab, Utrecht
Construction Design: Dura Vermeer Vastgoed & Dura Vermeer Construction Midwest
Structural Consultant: Pieters Bouwtechniek, Haarlem
Mechanical and Electrical Consultant: DWA, Ede
Sustainability Consultants: DWA, Ede & DWA, Zoetermeer
Fire Consultant: Peutz, Zoetermeer
Main Contractor: Dura Vermeer Bouw Midden West, Cruquius
Steel Contractor: Bentstaal, IJsselstein
Electrical Contractor: Van den Pol, Amersfoort
Mechanical and Electrical Construction: Klimaatservice, Hardinxveld Giessendam
Facade Contractor: De Groot & Visser, Gorinchem
Drawings: Architectenbureau Cepezed
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