De Heus, a leading supplier of animal feeds, plays a special role in the knowledge development and quality control of high-grade animal nutrition products. In September 2013 this family business opened its new laboratory in Veghel. This ultramodern and bright laboratory designed by Inbo is a worldwide showcase for De Heus and its products. Its where De Heus invites its (inter)national clients to come and experience their work process. The building is visible and palpable open and show visitors that knowledge and quality are paramount. The new interior is also a pilot for a new way of working that De Heus is introducting. In the new work concept ‘working@de heus’ a flexible way of working is stimulated.
The existing property consists of two building parts, a low-rise building from the 80s and high-rise part from the late 90s. Both parts are connected to another building element with a skylight. On the ground floor two cores with facilities were placed in both the high-rise and the low-rise building parts. By including all internal functions in this core, other spaces could be designed more open The cores divide the open space in pleasant clusters of no more than 12 workstations.
The division into clusters fits well in the workplace concept. Different open and closed meeting and phone rooms were designed in multiple ways, such as open meeting places designed as train compartments. High and low tables can be used flexible for work or lunch. The colors and materials, with their fresh blues and earth colors refer to the blue in the logo of De Heus.
For guests and employees the different workspaces in the building are visible and palpable connected. The entrance hall provides views of the bordering laboratory through a large glass wall. Thus, all processes are clearly visible and show De Heus’ core values: high-grade knowledge development, innovation and quality.
The new laboratory is the center of De Heus’ technological development and quality control. The laboratory determines the quality standards that are used in all De Heus companies worldwide. The lab is literally leading and a benchmark for all other laboratories. The interior design is based on a functional pattern of laboratory benches with synoptic workplaces and various testing setups. A colored multifunctional wall cabinet shields the open laboratory from a number of specific and more enclosed spaces, such as the sample room and the vitamin room. The vitamin room can be darkened entirely, so that vitamins can be processed in the appropriate sodium light without being interrupted by daylight.
High-quality food is essential for global prosperity. With its in-depth knowledge, De Heus is continuously able to increase its market position worldwide based on technological progress. For De Heus, the new lab is a pleasant working environment that convincingly showcases the special culture of this successful company.
