Mercedes-Benz R&D Center Shanghai

The design of Mercedes-Benz’s Digital R&D Center in Shanghai integrates a strong technological ethos with the essence of Shanghai and Mercedes-Benz’s core values, creating an inspiring environment for its team of 250 talents.

The “Digital Rivers” concept symbolizes the flow of digital information in the R&D space, with design elements inspired by Shanghai’s waterways. The workplace spans three floors, featuring open working areas, collaboration zones, focus booths, and top-notch amenities like a service center, library, meditation room, yoga room, and exercise room. To reach WELL certification, the workplace design prioritizes wellbeing standards, from the initial conceptual planning stage to the material selection and MEP design process.

The 2,300-square-meter workshop includes advanced testing labs and office spaces, with a versatile atrium that can transform into an event space equipped with a large LED screen that captivates audiences on both the first floor and second-floor terrace. Gensler also enhanced the main lobby entrance and elevator halls with technological elements, paying homage to the Mercedes-Benz brand and its emphasis on technology without remodeling the existing spaces. Strategic additions include triangular-shaped column wraps and a full LED screen wall that greets workers and visitors. Specially designed graphics blend abstraction, technology, and automotive themes, reinforcing the unique identity of this world-class automotive company.