Dubai, UAE, November 12, 2017:  Steelcase has announced the opening of its newest Learning + Innovation Center (LINC), capping a multi-year effort to bring together employees and propel global growth. The new LINC is the latest extension of the company’s global network, part of a geographically distributed approach to innovation. As organizations recognize the importance of face-to-face interactions and shift back to centrally-located business hubs, Steelcase designed this 14,400 square meter space to promote learning and spark innovation within its own organization—and to give customers a first-hand look at how space can impact work. 

 

This opening comes at a time when leaders and organizations worldwide are focused on staying ahead in a disruptive economy. To remain competitive and effectively innovate, organizations must become more agile and accelerate the flow of information and cycles of learning to take risks and make better, faster decisions. The LINC design is based on this principle—that rapid learning, creative work and agile teams are the building blocks of innovation, and the physical workplace can promote and nurture these kinds of activities.  

 

“Creative work and innovation happens when trust is built. So, we designed a place where people could come together to build relationships, learn, fail and grow together,” said Jim Keane, president and CEO of Steelcase. “We believe this is central to innovation, but it’s not just for us—it’s for our customers, too. It gives them a place to experience real work as its happening and to see how space can support and accelerate business results.” 

 

The center brings together over 230 employees representing 25 different nationalities from groups previously dispersed throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). This European opening follows the successful Learning + Innovation Center in Grand Rapids, which serves as a hub for North American employees, customers and guests to explore how creative and innovative thinking can be nurtured and supported by physical space and technologies.  

 

The three-building campus was designed by a diverse, international team of experts including Henn Architects, Munich; Patrick Jouin and Manku Design, Paris; and the Steelcase Design Team. 

 

'People are more alike than they are different. We're all creative, we all teach and we all learn. So when we come together to do these things in one place, innovation happens more easily.' added Keane. 'We're excited to have both Grand Rapids and Munich fueling growth and can't wait to see the global impact of these facilities.'