Danone Nutricia Research has opened a new innovation centre in Utrecht. With this new building, Danone will gather together the research activities carried out in the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain, and give them the space to grow.

The new innovation centre was designed by the architect’s office Cepezed and developed by OVG at the Utrecht Science Park. The building has received the BREEAM design certificate for excellence. Danone was assisted by AOS Studley in the development of the concept. The interior concept was shaped by interior architect Chris Pachen.

Inside the building is a pilot plant, laboratories, offices, storage areas, a conference centre, a coffee bar and a restaurant. The design is aimed at establishing open, dynamic and inspiring surroundings which are both highly comfortable and incredibly functional.

As a sign system and signposting specialist, Dehullu got involved at an early stage. In Wageningen, the location of Danone Research at the time, Dehullu organised a couple of brainstorming sessions, during which around 15 employees from different areas gave their ideas concerning signposting. A programme of demands and wishes emerged from these sessions, which was used as a starting point for the design and further development of the sign system.

Dehullu approached the design office Jaap Elzas for the graphic design of the sign system. In close collaboration with Chris Pachen, a design was realised which all parties are very happy with. The colours of the pantries, which are located next to the atrium, make up the base colours of the signposting. In order to also cater for colour blind people, the colours are supported with texts. The atrium comprises a purple, orange and green wing.

The transfers in the hallway were derived from the human cell structure. This sandblasted transfer has been arranged in the corridor on the side of the atrium on every floor and ensures that the transparency in the building remains, but that the employees working in the space don’t have the feeling that everything can be seen from the corridor.

Flow design + communicatie provided the design for the graphics in the building, which Dehullu once again implemented. The glass walls behind the reception desk have large full-colour prints. The visuals on the presentation panels in the coffee bar and the atrium are made from an aluminium frame in which a screen is tightly mounted. The screens are printed and then tightened using a cord. A further advantage of this system is that the pictures can be changed easily and for a relatively low price. At the moment, similar visuals are arranged in various waiting rooms and the lactation room.

On Monday 30 September 2013, Nutricia Research celebrated the opening of the building. The writing on the building’s facade was applied by Dehullu, so it’s also clear from the outside who is working in this incredible building.