Designing for Innovation
How Work Environments Shape Health, Collaboration and Creativity
Can buildings make us healthier and more innovative?
The light in your office. The air you breathe during the day. The materials around you. The spaces where you focus, meet, exchange ideas or take a break.
These elements are part of our everyday working lives, but how much do they shape our health, wellbeing, mental clarity and ability to innovate?
Inspired in part by the design and thinking behind the HORTUS building at Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area Main Campus, this evening discussion and apéro invites you to explore a simple but fascinating question: Can buildings make us healthier and more innovative?
At Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, innovation is not only about science, technology and entrepreneurship. It is also about creating environments where people and ideas can thrive.
This event brings together perspectives from architecture, natural materials and environmental health to explore how the spaces around us can support focus, collaboration, wellbeing and the conditions in which new ideas can emerge.
Together with our speakers, we will discuss how light, air, materials, spatial design and indoor environmental quality influence the way we feel, think and work, and what this could mean for designing environments that support both human health and innovation.
The evening will include short inputs from each speaker, followed by a moderated panel discussion, audience Q&A and an apéro.
Program
16:30
Doors open
17:00
Welcome & Introduction
17:05
Short inputs from each speaker
17:20
Moderated panel discussion & audience Q&A
18:15
Apéro
Speakers
Alexander Franz
Architect at Herzog & de Meuron, bringing insights into the design and thinking behind HORTUS, with a focus on sustainable architecture, spatial design and the workplace environment.
Martin Rauch
Expert in natural materials and earth construction, exploring how materials influence comfort, atmosphere and our relationship with the spaces we inhabit.
Dr. Marloes Eeftens
Environmental health researcher at Swiss TPH, bringing a scientific perspective on indoor environmental quality and its impact on health, wellbeing and everyday performance.
Valérie Zellner
Workplace Consultant and Business Psychologist at Vitra. She supports organizations in shaping future work environments that enable innovation, collaboration, and sustainable change.
Participation is free. However, registration is required before 12.10.2026
Please email community@switzerland-innovation.com in case you have any questions related to this event.
Partner(s)
