Steelcase has announced the opening of its new Learning + Innovation Centre in Munich, capping a multi-year planning effort and bringing together employees from across the region in a 14,400 square metre space designed to promote learning and spark innovation.

Steelcase opened this location to propel growth within its own organisation and to give customers a first-hand look at how space can impact work. The centre brings together over 230 employees, representing 25 different nationalities, from groups previously dispersed throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).  

Jim Keane, President and CEO of Steelcase said, “creative work and innovation happens when trust is built. So, we designed a place where people could come together from all over Europe to build relationships, learn, fail and grow together. We believe this is central to innovation, but it’s not just for us — it’s for our customers, too. It gives them a place to experience real work as it’s happening and to see how space can support and accelerate business results.”

Features of the three-building campus include:

• WorkCafé - coffee bar, barista and a collection of settings spread over two levels. It a place for workers to interact, work or take time to socialise and rejuvenate

• Steelcase’s executive team is on the first floor in an open-plan space where people constantly pass through and meet
• Cloud-enabled technology throughout the campus allow ideas to travel from space to space and make it possible to include remote participants from around the world in the innovation process. 
• A virtual reality tour provides visitors a look at product development and gives them ideas for their workplaces
• An ecosystem of interconnected and interdependent environments was purposefully designed to support the needs of both individuals and teams by bringing them together and seamlessly integrating technologies they need to work

• Multiple informal spaces throughout the Centre and several specialised classrooms promote collaborative and individual learning. A distance-learning classroom and videoconferencing rooms ensure learning happens both globally and locally throughout the day

Jim added, “we wanted a place where people could come together to build trust, collaborate and learn. All of these activities propel new ideas and different ways of thinking to help us grow. We’re excited to have Munich be the heart of innovation for Steelcase. Not just for Europe, but for everywhere.”