The interiors of Samsung Research America’s Silicon Valley campus are designed to help facilitate discovery, advancement, and change. Encompassing 20 different departments within two buildings, the LEED® Gold-certified project includes research labs, a full-service cafeteria, a fitness center, and other shared amenities.

Inside the double-height lobby of each building, a large opening framed by warm eucalyptus wood provides a welcoming portal to the main spaces beyond. Wood stairs with glass risers link each lobby to the work areas above, and act as the centering element for the communal gathering spaces on each floor. The design team worked closely with each of the campus’ departments to express their individuality through the design, color, and materials of these communal spaces, which foster informal collaboration and provide respite.

In collaboration with Samsung, SOM developed the design principle of “Natural Tech,” which proposes bringing elements of nature into high-tech environments. This approach guided such decisions as bringing daylight into the labs, providing all employees with views of the Diablo Range and Santa Cruz Mountains, and incorporating a palette of subdued natural colors throughout the interiors. A “super grid” planning module was established to allow for flexible spatial arrangements that support a variety of working styles and easy reorganization for future growth.