Interior Design: “From the Ground Up”

Grifols Pharmaceutical had several existing office buildings located on their Clayton campus, and the goal was to consolidate their employees in a new Class A space that allowed for future growth. Since Grifols is based in Barcelona, Spain, the leadership team desired a clean-lined aesthetic in keeping with their European sensibilities. They also wanted the building to reflect their core values of ethics, sustainability, and transparency. With these goals in mind, the interior design team set out to create a space that would meet Grifols’ criteria.

HagerSmith’s interior designers collaborated with the architecture team to create an entry that would mimic the exterior architecture and set the tone for the interior environment. The result is a 3-story atrium featuring an open staircase on one end and anchored by the reception desk on the other. Floor to ceiling wood panels provides backdrops to both elements, giving the space a sense of symmetry. The building design is centered on the arc of the atrium and flanked by a wing on each side. This geometry was repeated within so that the atrium is crescent-shaped with meeting and café space on the interior looking through the lobby to 3-story windows on the other side. The open space filled with light creates a sense of sanctuary upon walking inside.

To continue the open feeling within the interior space, HagerSmith created a ribbon of offices and meeting rooms down the center of each building wing. This allowed for the workstations to be placed along the perimeter of the building to maximize daylighting and provide views for all employees.

In response to Grifols’ desire for a modern aesthetic, the materials were carefully selected to create a clean and airy feel to the space. The walls were painted white throughout the building with a few pops of Grifols’ blue in select locations. The branding colors were pulled into the carpet, where blue accents were used as wayfinding down corridors and as a highlight to architectural details. Walnut wood accents were carried throughout as a component of biophilic design and to provide an element of warmth against the otherwise crisp finishes. Classic furniture pieces were layered into the design continuing the modern concept throughout the interior.

Grifols wanted the new office to reflect their core value of sustainability, so HagerSmith’s interior designers worked with the landscape architects, architects, and engineers to design the building to meet LEED Silver certification requirements. The goal of certification is to create a building that is considerate of environmental resources and the people using the space. Many elements were taken into consideration including site selection, air quality, efficient building systems, renewable materials, recycling programs, and lighting controls. The result is a human-centered design that is beautiful, harmonious, and functional.

The Grifols office project is a great example of how HagerSmith’s collaborative team of landscape architects, architects, and interior designers can take a client’s vision from concept to realization from the ground up.