Olympus U.S. Medical Headquarters

As their 100-year anniversary approached, precision technology leaders Olympus sought to consolidate their three Massachusetts locations into one advanced, highly collaborative HQ.

With its innovative lab, R&D, and manufacturing spaces, the new U.S. Medical Headquarters in Westborough, MA is a hub of med-tech innovation and serves as the global home of the company’s therapeutics division.

The headquarters unifies Olympus’s previously separated in-house expertise under one roof. It enhances their R&D processes for medical devices while providing an immersive customer experience for medical professionals.

The headquarters is a place to train and receive feedback from doctors and users of Olympus products.

A mock operating room offers a unique space for doctors and technicians to receive world-class training. The room is fully integrated with Olympus technology, including a virtual video system that allows doctors and technicians to participate in live surgery while offsite.

Employees’ wellbeing is catered for by a host of amenities.

Amenity spaces include a dining area, servery, coffee bar, fitness center, and daycare. Eating and drinking spots use adaptable seating types to double up as group work areas. Outside, walking paths offer easy access to nearby biking trails.

Social spaces serve as collaborative work areas.

The design respects employees’ needs for different work styles and spaces. Breakout areas encourage casual encounters and provide a space for small work groups and private work.

The office spaces encourage collaboration, with an increased ratio of meeting spaces to private workstations. Olympus can modify the number of workstations and collaboration spaces as departments grow or shrink.

Olympus U.S. National Service Center in San Jose, California

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The MEP design achieves flexibility and energy efficiency.

Energy-saving features

The new headquarters uses the latest LED technology, light dimmers, and daylight sensors to perform 30% more efficiently than standard energy code requirements.

Electrical systems

The labs’ large glass walls called for utility panels to be installed on the ceiling in a symmetrical grid. In the data center, a plug-in bus duct system demounts and moves different devices. Both systems can be modified for the future needs of their respective spaces.

Mechanical systems

The labs, daycare, and kitchen spaces use supplemental HVAC systems to meet temperature, humidity, exhaust, and safety requirements. A lab waste system, featuring pH neutralization, serves the second-floor lab fixtures, while Small Reverse Osmosis systems provide the building’s pure water needs.

The design allows for the possibility for future expansion via an addition to the main structure.

The first and second floors are tailored to resonate with visiting clients and customers, as well as employees.

1/5

A two-story string installation calls attention to activity within the lab and R&D spaces on the second floor. The design uses a custom pattern system stemming from the very aperture lenses made by Olympus.

2/5

The new building uses of colors and materials inspired by Olympus’ recent True to Life campaign, which focuses on people and lifestyle.

3/5

Home-like wood finishes feature throughout, from private meeting rooms to café and dining areas.

4/5

Color-coded elevator lobbies and themed corridors help achieve visual continuity across each floor.

5/5

“Every conversation has been made easy by SMMA’s availability and expertise. There is no better way to exemplify the Olympus brand and our company values than this incredible new building on our 100th Anniversary."

Steven Wereley, Global Corporate Real Estate Lead, Olympus