Almac Group’s North American Headquarters, Philadelphia, United States

October 26, 2011 Category: Commercial Building, Office

Inspired by the company’s Irish roots where its global headquarters are based, the first phase of this two-phase project of the Almac Group’s new North American Headquarters were completed by the American architecture firm Francis Cauffman in Souderton, Philadelphia, United States, will house three of the four businesses that fall under this parent company. For this building of major North American Headquarters, the design team have combined between elements from North American with European office cultures. The result is not a typical office park: it’s an open and transparent headquarters in a suburban setting that consolidates the Almac Group’s North American businesses in one location.

The Almac Group is a global provider of drug development services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The site development of Phase 1 includes new roadways, a storm water retention and management system, on-grade parking, site utility infrastructure, landscaping, and hardscaping. The 240,000 square feet of space in two buildings comprises a 165,600 square feet clinical packaging and production facility including administration, packaging, warehouse/storage, shipping/receiving, and label control areas; and 74,400 square feet corporate office building of administrative offices, IT server and communications areas. These facilities house two of Almac’s five divisions: the Clinical Technologies and Clinical Services divisions, which will share corporate resources.

The design team create a very open building that lets in natural light and provides large expansive views to all employees unlike a typical suburban headquarters, which it is important to give employees a strong visual connection and continuous access to the outdoors. The interior workplaces are designed to support the company’s dual cultures. European offices are usually more open and promote corporate equality while American offices tend to be more private. Workstations are also closer together, a European feature; U.S. companies generally range from 200-250 square feet footage per person and the Almac office is about 165 square feet per person.

Almac Group North American Headquarters by Francis Cauffman