Welcome to fiftyONE, the new Innovation Center in the heart of the Heraeus headquarters in Hanau.
It is 8 in the morning, the start of Katharina’s workday, as she heads into fiftyONE. The new building opened in 2018. It offers ample space for interdisciplinary innovation, bringing together the development activities of the various business units. The latest research also takes place in modern office and laboratory areas.
Innovation doesn’t happen behind closed doors.
The open building design creates horizontal and vertical transparency. Atriums allow a view of each floor, and the airy foyer extends to the top of the building. The architecture supports encounters among employees and promotes open communication.
Flexible working hours.
Upon arrival in the office area, she connects her laptop to one of the open workspaces. Because each desk is height-adjustable, she can stand as she prepares for her workday.
Competence on four floors.
The work environments at fiftyONE extend over four floors. Katharina’s first appointment today is on the second floor. Her agenda includes many consultations with colleagues, as well as continuing work on a variety of projects.
Project offices allow for short term collaboration.
Katharina invites her colleagues to her project office for their daily discussion. They gather in the creative room.
Creative rooms encourage new ideas
In midmorning, the agile project group holds its daily meeting at the sprintboard in the creative room. The team members discuss their progress on the project and embark on the next steps
Open office desks for quick decisions.
After the meeting, Katharina summarizes the next steps with the two project managers. The whole team can readily access them via SharePoint
Time for a cup of coffee.
Kitchenettes are available on each floor of fiftyONE. People can chat with colleagues over a hot beverage or take a break by themselves.
The fiftyONE building offers a wide range of places to work
In the pause before the afternoon’s appointments, seats at the window offer an inviting spot to enjoy a cup of coffee, answer emails and get ready.
The areas of expertise combine laboratory and office areas.
In the afternoon, Katharina meets with Patrick, a colleague from the Research and Development department at Heraeus Electronics.
Laboratory spaces with the very latest technology.
Today, Patrick is showing Katharina his research results and explains how the latest product innovation from Heraeus Electronics works.
Communication on all levels.
Seating areas right outside the laboratory spaces offer a place for meetings and conversations. Katharina and Patrick sit here to discuss the findings.
Conference rooms provide space for larger group discussions.
Heraeus steadily continues to develop and grow through interaction with external partners and customers. Katharina and her colleagues are now meeting with a supplier and discuss the latest developments.
Plenty of seating areas for greater flexibility.
In their meeting, two workgroups have taken shape. The seating area offers an opportunity to ask additional questions outside the meeting room.
Private areas for workgroups to meet.
Returning with new findings, the workgroup gathers in a meeting room to evaluate the findings together.
Learning in a comfortable setting.
For her daily e-learning session, Katharina retreats to the library on the ground floor. This is the best place for learning in a quiet environment.
Versatile spaces: the communication points.
The day ends with a regular meeting with colleagues. Today, they’re gathering at Communication Point Blue.
A retreat and thinking pod: focusing on work in the sofa cube.
Afterwards, Katharina gathers her thoughts, choosing a sofa cube where she can work undisturbed.
A day in fiftyONE draws to a close.
Now it’s time to head for home. Today Katharina takes her laptop with her, because she’s traveling to a different Heraeus location tomorrow.
