“It’s not an office, it’s a collaboration space.”
That is how Don Sedia, Director, Global Facilities for Intercept Pharmaceuticals, describes the company’s new Flex+ workspace at Nobel Plaza in San Diego.
“What we need is a place for teams to come together and collaborate, for people to have those moments of in-person connection that are so critical to innovation. That’s what we’ve built here.”
Don Sedia, Director, Global Facilities
Intercept, a biotech firm headquartered in New Jersey, is focused on helping people with non-viral progressive liver disease. Their San Diego workplace plays a vital role in R&D, and collaboration is at the heart of their success.
“We’ve really changed how we work these past few years, and it became clear we didn’t need an office for everyone to sit silently staring at computer screens. What we need is a place for teams to come together and collaborate, for people to have those moments of in-person connection that are so critical to innovation. That’s what we’ve built here.”
Intercept Pharmaceuticals has had a presence with Irvine Company in La Jolla since 2008, and the company’s new space at Nobel Plaza is a natural evolution of this partnership.
“I had recently joined Intercept and was based out of their New Jersey office, and the next thing I knew I was heading out to San Diego to meet with Irvine Company,” recalls Don. “The leasing team immediately made me feel at home, even though I was the ‘new guy’ on the project. Their willingness to get this done as professionally and promptly as possible made this a dream project. I have a smile on my face every time I think about it.”
The leasing team worked closely with Don to rethink what was possible for a collaborative workspace with a uniquely flexible layout that can scale easily to meet evolving business needs.
“Things can change quickly in our industry. The flexible space means that no matter what happens, this space will evolve with us. It’s changed how we think about an office, transforming our workspace into an invaluable resource.”
[Irvine Company’s] willingness to get this done as professionally and promptly as possible made this a dream project. I have a smile on my face every time I think about it.”
Don Sedia, Director, Global Facilities
One change that initially surprised employees was the company’s decision to only have 22 workstations in the new workspace.
“We have 65 people in San Diego but only 22 individual workstations because we’ve customized the space to accommodate teams in different ways. For example, we can easily fit up to 70 people at a time for events.”
After being remote for over two years, the San Diego team is thrilled to be back in person.
“When people saw our new office for the first time, they literally jumped for joy.”
Employees have been using the open, flexible space for town hall meetings, and the huddle rooms are ideal for meeting with colleagues and outside business contacts. The location is winning praise, too. It’s an easy walk across the pedestrian bridge to shopping and dining, including Whole Foods.
“We’re a fast-moving company and we don’t need a workplace for people to sit in 5 days a week, 8 hours a day,” says Don. “What we do need is collaboration space that can flex to accommodate a diverse range of uses, including events, in a location that’s easy for all our employees to access. That’s exactly what we have at Nobel Plaza.”