Angelika Amon Research Building Advances Boehringer Ingelheim’s Oncology Mission

The Angelika Amon research building is named after a Viennese pioneer in cell biology who was closely connected with Boehringer Ingelheim. Image: Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim has inaugurated the Angelika Amon research building in Vienna, Austria, a €60 million ($66.8 million USD) state-of-the-art facility designed to support the company's expanding oncology research efforts. Spanning 11 floors and accommodating 150 employees, the building integrates sustainable architectural features aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, including photovoltaic arrays that save 45 tons of carbon dioxide annually and electrochromic glass that reduces cooling requirements by 30 percent. Named after Viennese cell biology pioneer Angelika Amon, the facility is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s broader five-year $7.8 billion investment plan to enhance its research infrastructure and develop innovative cancer therapies.

The project team included F+P Architekten (architect/general planning) and Porr Österreich (construction).

Lab Design News spoke to Dr. Steffen Steurer, head of discovery research coordination Vienna; Dr. Ingrid Vorwahlner, associate director research coordination Vienna; and Otto Oberwald, senior project manager engineering, about this facility.

Q: What were the key goals and priorities in the design and construction of the new cancer research building in Vienna?

A: The main focus was, of course, to provide researchers with a modern and safe working environment that reflects the latest state of the art in technology. However, it was just as important to build an energy-efficient and sustainable building. 

Q: How did input from researchers and other end-users shape the design of workspaces and laboratory environments?

A: Representatives from different departments were involved from the conceptualization until the completion of the building, who were able to influence significantly the floor layout and equipment. We built according to the following motto: User-specific design where necessary, and flexibility where possible. 

Q: What specific features were included in the building to enhance collaboration among the 150 researchers working there?

A: Firstly, it should be emphasized that in the Angelika Amon Research Building, researchers from a wide variety of life science disciplines work together across departments. Drug discovery is a team sport. Good cooperation is therefore essential for success. In addition to meeting and video conference rooms, numerous co-creation areas were designed to encourage creative collaboration. In addition, informal exchange in social areas or coffee corners is very important. We have implemented this on all seven floors. There is also a large lecture hall for 250 people and a cafeteria on the ground floor. 

Q: How does the building incorporate cutting-edge technologies to support advanced oncology research and innovative approaches to cancer treatment?

A: In addition to classic laboratories for drug synthesis and characterization, molecular biology and cell culture, there are numerous special laboratories containing the latest laboratory equipment. For example, we have a large NMR laboratory with the ability to set up five high-performance NMR spectrometers in one room, as well as special rooms for advanced X-ray structure analysis and cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). Modern sequencing devices and high-resolution mass spectrometers complement the equipment portfolio. 

Q: What role did sustainability and energy efficiency play in the design and construction process, and what specific measures were implemented to achieve these goals?

A: Energy efficiency and sustainability were of very high importance in the planning and construction. ‘Sustainable Development for Generations’ is an important guiding principle at Boehringer Ingelheim. In addition to the mandatory photovoltaic system on the roof, additional areas on the southwest facade were equipped with solar panels. On sunny days, we can produce about eight to 10 percent of the building's electricity requirements. In addition, electrochromic glass (Sage-Glass®) was used for all window surfaces on the building. Depending on the amount of sunlight, the glass automatically darkens and thus reduces the heat input into the building. In summer, this can save up to 30 percent of the required cooling capacity. In addition, presence detectors were installed throughout the building, which control not only the lighting, but also the necessary ventilation of the building. 

Q: How did the legacy of Angelika Amon and her contributions to oncology research influence the vision and design of the facility?

A: Angelika Amon's career and her early death from cancer inspires our researchers and reminds us daily of our mission to develop better treatment options for people living with cancer. In her honor, we have mounted two large commemorative plaques in the entrance area. Professor Norbert Kraut, Boehringer scientists, and a colleague of Angelika’s explained more about this topic in an emotional video. 

Q: Were there any unique challenges in balancing state-of-the-art technology with the need for flexible, future-proof research spaces? If so, how were they addressed?

A: The main focus of the building design was to offer future users tailor-made, state-of-the-art laboratory space, while providing enough room for future expansions and new technologies. Wherever possible, great emphasis was placed on flexibility. For example, all available media can be easily retrofitted via central shafts. Office floors were also designed so that they can easily be transformed into laboratory space in the future. Reserve areas for additional systems have also been planned in technical areas. 

Q: In what ways does the design foster collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP)?

A: Since the IMP was established, our researchers have been actively collaborating on projects where our goals align, while giving complete freedom to explore other basic research areas. In addition, we support and promote numerous joint postdoctoral positions at the IMP. This allows young scientists to gain insights into the industry with us, while our researchers can get to know the academic environment better (see video). 

Q: How does the building’s layout and infrastructure accommodate interdisciplinary research and partnerships with external organizations?

A: The spacious lecture hall with the latest technology offers the possibility of holding seminars and conferences over one or more days, in which intensive exchange with external and internal scientists, as well as other stakeholders, can easily be carried out. 

Q: Looking forward, how do you envision the building evolving to meet the demands of future oncology research, and what ongoing role will end-user feedback play in its development?

A: The Angelika Amon Research Building, together with the existing infrastructure at the Vienna site, will serve us well for the next few decades and help us to achieve our goals sustainably, which is to discover innovative and improved treatment options for people living with cancer. Feedback from users is very important and will of course be taken into account whenever possible in future expansions and renovation measures. In the areas of energy efficiency and sustainability, in particular, our employees are very sensitive and make suggestions that are often very easy to implement.