In 2023, RAU Architects invited Studio Modijefsky to design the interiors of a pharmaceutical campus, including the public bistro and offices, with the ambition to create a holistic design that promotes health and well-being through innovative spaces. Much like medicine acts as a “silent designer” to improve quality of life, the design of this campus applies the same principle to urban space, making the built environment a tool for well-being. The site was developed through sensitive urban planning and architectural interventions that considered individual and communal needs, creating spaces that reflect physical, mental, and social dimensions for current and future generations.
The office design blends work and social zones into a dynamic, flexible environment where private spaces can be created as needed, while pathways and view lines open up connections to the outdoors. Materials such as local cherry and walnut wood, fresco-finished walls, and locally crafted tiles root the project in regional heritage. The redesign transforms this once-introverted area into a welcoming, public space for employees, neighbors, and the people of Parma, with greenery, air-purifying plants, and connections between indoors and outdoors enhancing both psychological and physical well-being. Interiors and exteriors merge seamlessly, with inviting staircases, terraces, and rooftops that foster exploration, social interaction, and a strong relationship between architecture and landscape.
At the heart of the building lies the bistro, spread across three levels with a direct connection to surrounding gardens. By day it offers employees comfort and variety, while in the evening it becomes a destination for locals to gather on the terrace or rooftop bar. The design emphasizes reclaimed and natural materials, glowing details recalling the site’s history, and flexible spaces that adapt to events or intimate gatherings. The rooftop, with its 360-degree views of Parma, extends this experience into a destination of its own.
Well-being spaces are integrated throughout the site, from yoga and meditation rooms to outdoor fountains and quiet park seating. A library offers a serene retreat for reflection, while a broadcast hub and tech lab provide flexible environments for content creation and collaboration. Everyday rituals are supported by coffee bars and communal hubs that encourage spontaneous connection. Even visiting professionals are welcomed with a guesthouse that offers calm, homelike interiors of wood, linen, and light-filled spaces.
The transformation of the building into a vibrant and healthy campus demonstrates a commitment to innovation, community, and well-being. By opening this site to the city, blending heritage with modern design, and integrating health-focused spaces into every aspect of the campus, the project establishes a new benchmark for urban design that prioritizes both human connection and long-term quality of life.