A new agricultural science paradigm

Environments required to support 21st century agricultural research are very different from agriscience labs of the past and the big-pharma labs of the late 20th century. Transparency, accessibility, and visibility together form the new template for agriscience, all in support of maximizing interaction and connection among the science teams, administrative groups, and visiting partners.

Designed in direct response to Syngenta's research mission, the RTP Innovation Center is qualitatively unlike any other ag biotech corporate environment. The facility is simple, lean, and highly adaptable. The design removes obstructions and employs an open, large, and flexible laboratory floor. It connects directly to the Advanced Crop Lab, the site's first phase of development, providing scientists access a full complement of growing environments to support the research.

A new approach to incorporating lab support within this expansive floor plate optimizes the workflow for researchers and enables frequent reconfiguration of research teams. Major support functions are placed at the shoulders of the open floor plate while immediate needs at the bench are now served by shared support pods embedded within the laboratory, providing convenient access to frequently needed equipment.

Beyond fulfilling their objective of expanding research capabilities, Syngenta's goal was to amplify their corporate culture through collocated research, non-research, and growing functions on a singular campus in a single facility. To help achieve this, a "ribbon" of community space runs through the center of the complex, providing a full range of amenities that support the four-story laboratory wing and three-story administrative wing.