In Shanghai’s Hongqiao district, Innovent Biologics 37,000m² Global R&D Center brings science, people and community together in a biophilic campus. Beneath a 4,000m² ventilated canopy, three interconnected towers house adaptable laboratories, co-working areas, and living facilities that support wellbeing and long-term collaboration. A carefully engineered microclimate and generous public space open the campus to the wider community, integrating science into everyday life. The result is a world-class research hub that delivers lasting benefits for people, planet, and industry.

A campus shaped by purpose and people

Biopharma company Innovent Biologics enjoys a strong culture of positive values. So its laboratories, offices and support spaces needed to be designed not only for the upcoming needs of an emerging sector but with co-working and wellbeing at its core. Beneath a 4,000m2 ventilated canopy, three towers were built and linked for teams to interact easily: every lab, office, and shared space is within a five-minute walk, helping teams stay connected. And outside of work, there are living facilities, a gym, a pool, and conference facilities to ensure that visiting researchers have everything they need for their stay on the campus and strong collaboration.

Annual report
Annual Report FY 2024/25
A high angle view of a building.

Total Design for a fast growing pipeline

Innovent Biologics is at the centre of a fast-moving industry, and so the layout of lab structures and services needed to be designed flexibly to accommodate the evolving needs of biopharma research. We assembled a team of experts from Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Milan to provide everything from master planning and architecture to structural engineering, building services, fire safety, sustainability, and transport. The resulting concept allows for flexible spaces to be reconfigured as the need arises into new labs that meet good manufacturing practices, and vibration‑sensitivity, and bio‑safety needs.

Regardless of poverty or wealth, regardless of where one is born, everyone should equally enjoy the health benefits brought about by scientific progress

Michael Yu

Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Innovent Biologics

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The semi-outdoor canopy atrium provides natural light and ventilation, while connected walkways ensure laboratories, offices and shared spaces are within a five-minute walk

A space that works for communities

The campus offers a generous public space intended to integrate science into the daily lives of Shanghai locals. The semi-outdoor canopy atrium acts as an open, welcoming space for the public while also providing natural light and ventilation to the building. This inclusive design strengthens Innovent Biologics’ reputation as a socially responsible biopharma leader.

Jerome Frost poses outside the Innovent centre

Arup CEO Jerome Frost (right) on site with members of the Arup project team

Main atrium of the buidling

Main atrium

Canopy of the R&D centre

A night time arial view showcasing the illuminated canopy

A micro-climate designed for a changing climate

Glass louvres along the outside walls create a ‘chimney’ effect that cools the 60m-high atrium by as much as 3.5°C and cuts energy use by over 20%. The building’s orientation is designed to manage shading and reduce seasonal extremes, with the layout providing natural shielding to the dominant winter wind direction, while allowing the dominant summer wind direction to provide a pleasant wind environment.

Landscaped water features also improve the microclimate. The embodied carbon of the steel structure in the sky bridges was reduced by half. All these features support the project’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold goals and ensure it minimises its carbon footprint during the construction and ongoing use of the labs. 

4000

m2

Ventilated canopy improves natural ventilation and ambient comfort

20

%

Energy saving due to use of glass louvres for cooling effect