SAP Labs Latin America

Project of the new building for 850 employees of the largest enterprise software company in the world.

The fundamental premise for defining the needs program that guided this project were the needs of SAP Labs Latin America, the expected growth for the coming years and the company's set of global Guidelines. Added to this is the challenge of imagining new ways of working for more modern and dynamic environments.

The final project is the result of the conciliation of all these interests and guidelines. Phase 3 is a building where SAP Labs employees have comfortable, modern, safe and top-notch facilities to carry out their work. Early on, we went through a significant period of reconnaissance, understanding and refining the needs of the company and understanding the end-users' vision of what could be improved based on the current structure of the company.

This is, of course, a very difficult job: it is clear that the old building occupied by SAP, built in two distinct phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2) but operated as a single construction, is a building with a singular architectural character, impressive in every aspect that can be judged. Understanding this character of excellence and the passion that the building aroused in employees and visitors was fundamental for the understanding that Phase 3 should be a silent building, discreetly integrated into the set, incorporating state-of-the-art technical and constructive systems that facilitate the day-to-day operation of Labs, creating a comfortable and inviting environment, helping to attract and retain the best talent.

The focus on sustainability, one of SAP’s hallmarks, is expressed both in the Environmental Certification – Leed Gold – and in the industrialization of the vast majority of the work’s solutions, which was premised on having most of the elements manufactured offsite and only assembled on site – such as metallic structure, Drywall walls, ventilated facade, among others. Part of this definition was the huge challenge imposed right from the start: the building, with 14,000 m², should be built in a maximum of 13 months.

The scope of this project is much greater than the simple projection of the building, also resulting in an adequate integration with the Unisinos Campus, the surrounding roads, accesses and flows of vehicles and pedestrians, as well as in the relationship with the environmental preservation areas that surround the enterprise

The project

The Labs Phase 3 building is located on land adjacent to the existing complex. A new access road was created, starting at Rua do Campus da Unisinos next to Portico 5, extending along the south and east sides of Phase 3, meeting the existing road of the complex. To the east of this new road, we will have part of the parking lots of the complex, built in a discreet prefabricated structure with 3 floors. The parking lots are complemented by the basement of the new building.

The building was designed as a grand prism of pure forms. Its finishes – completely glazed with protection of textile louvers on the North and South facades; closed, with few openings and large blind planes on the east and west facades – are a premise of keeping it silent in its surroundings, dialoguing with the current building, which has similar plastic characteristics.

The project has a total of four floors: a basement, which contains parking and technical rooms; the Ground floor, with work areas, collaborative and service spaces; and the 1st and 2nd floors, where most of the work spaces are located. The project was designed with two large central patios that articulate all spaces, also allowing employees to have outdoor activities, such as meetings, videoconferences and meals. One of the patios is located on the ground floor, while the other is elevated, located on the 1st floor. The workrooms are located on the North and South facades, making use of the best visuals and ease of solar control. In the heart of the building, next to the patios, are the various meeting rooms, focus, collaborative, pantries, etc. that make up the needs program. On the east and west facades are located batteries of toilets, emergency stairs and larger meeting rooms. The center of the building is occupied by large cafes on all floors. The ground floor has its perimeter set back, creating a small balcony that surrounds the entire building, serving as a shelter and shelter from the weather.

The new Phase 3 building connects to the old building through a large common space – a space that was not in the original design scope but it became clear to the architectural team that it would be critical. A large grandstand designed for collaborative work and events is the focal point of the venue. The final function of this space will be to house the events that Labs hosts throughout the year, while employees take ownership of it on a daily basis to use it in the most diverse ways.