Novo Nordisk

General Contractor: Vector Mais
Project: Vector Mais
Size: 600 m²
Location: Quinta da Fonte

Founded in 1923 in Copenhagen, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company that employs more than 44.000 people in 80 offices and markets its products in 170 countries. For the renovation of its office in Quinta da Fonte, the pharmaceutical company hired Vector Mais to design, build, and supply furniture to offer local employees the best working conditions.

Following the company's internal guidelines, the renovated workspace includes three areas that complement each other: a quiet area where the employee performs individual activities in total concentration; a dynamic area where a team member can perform an individual action, but with the possibility of interaction with colleagues; and a collaboration area where users meet informally to work as a team.

These areas have adjoining lounge spaces, phone booths, and informal meeting spaces, contributing to a diversified space occupation and proactive use. Making a parallel between Lisbon and Copenhagen, the Vector Mais team developed a project that fuses Nordic minimalism with the warm tones of Portugal, creating a welcoming, functional and inspiring office. With lots of natural light, plants, and quality materials, the workspace offers a serene atmosphere, increasing employees' quality of life and productivity. Through great attention to detail, the development of bespoke carpentry solutions, and a careful selection of furniture and lighting, it was possible to create an office adapted to human needs, where comfort and well-being are fundamental factors.

Anja Salehar, General Contractor, Novo Nordisk Portugal

How important is the new office?
The new office reflects two grand ambitions: on the one hand, that of living more and more the Novo Nordisk Way – the set of guiding principles that underpin all the decisions we make and define our culture; on the other, to fulfil our commitment to sustainability and implement, in every small decision, our environmental strategy Circular for Zero.

How do you assess the work of Vector Mais throughout the project?
We believe that now we have a working environment catalyzing better productivity, greater collaboration and more sustainability. We achieved this result because we worked with a partner who deeply understands the impact of space-person interaction and shares our values and ambitions for sustainability.

“We achieved this result because we worked with a partner who deeply understands the impact of space-person interaction and shares our values and ambitions for sustainability.”

Vera Lucena, Interior Designer, Vector Mais

What was the client's briefing, and how started the whole process?
Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, came to us intending to carry out a profound change in the facilities it has occupied for about ten years. They presented us with a complete program, which mirrored the change they intended to make numerically. But it was when we studied the latest internal manual, developed to change the company's culture and optimise office use, we were amazed! The information in the document allowed us to understand the company's essence. From an organisational point of view, the corporate vision was aligned with the latest international trends, focusing on humanisation, flexibility, collaboration, and sharing of ideas to offer its employees a functional and comfortable space to perform their daily functions and activities. The interpretation of this universe was vital to develop the concept, which began to be structured in the blueprint, and later detailed with great enthusiasm.

“The development of this project could not have been more exciting! The client has given us fantastic tools and an essential factor: trust. Undoubtedly, the initial empathy that turned into a relationship of solid trust between Novo Nordisk and the Vector Mais team was decisive for the success of the final result.”

What elements do you highlight in the project?
We believe that creating a stimulating and personalised atmosphere promotes users' physical and mental well-being, strengthening human and institutional ties. In our opinion, it is the first step for employees to adopt the company's goals and values naturally. It will be reflected in productivity in the future, while in the present, it can be felt in the teams' commitment, creativity, and motivation. In the case of Novo Nordisk, Quality and Sustainability were the two guiding principles for all decisions. From the outset, we ensured that the choice would fall on local and international suppliers that had a clear commitment to protecting the environment. The selection of materials and products was made with care, as always, but even more attentive. Floors, covering materials, ceilings, paints, partitions, furniture, lighting, fabrics and accessories all tell a conscious story of production and effort to achieve a circular economy.

What were the references that inspired the office's design?
When we started to work on the layout, we tried to insert elements that evoked the Danish origin, and it was in Copenhagen, we found inspiration. Deconstructing the regularity of the interior space with the insertion of lines and angles evocative of the city's skyline, we imprint a structural dynamic visible throughout the office. We identified The common characteristics between Lisbon and Copenhagen to find the references for the project: colour and light. In an environment where white is predominant, colour punctuates the space through soft tones and natural materials such as wood, Burel fabric and cork. On the other hand, the strategic allocation of the various work and leisure areas and the conscientious use of glass made it possible to reinforce the presence of natural light throughout the space, increasing comfort and reducing energy consumption. To unite and complement these two elements, we've included a third one: Plants. The inclusion of this natural element helps to 'camouflage' the technical and technological features and humanize the space. Thus, it helps to reduce stress and increase users' sense of comfort and well-being.

And which areas were created?
We developed the layout taking into account the mobility of employees during the working day due to the performance of various activities. The open space is divided into three areas with distinct functions: A quiet area where the employee performs individual activities in total concentration; a dynamic area where a team member can perform an individual action, but with the possibility of interaction with colleagues; and a collaboration area where users meet informally to work as a team. These areas were punctuated with lounge areas, phone booths, and informal meeting spaces, contributing to a diversified occupation and proactive use. The meeting rooms have become more flexible, whether in structure and furniture, to allow the necessary adaptation to each use. They also complement the collaboration area, offering more privacy. A socialization area was also essential, allowing people to take a break or meal in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. That's how the cafeteria was created, with a large seating area filled with natural light and a tree at the centre, where the company offers food and snacks that promote a healthy lifestyle.