Creating a workplace that elevates daily experiences, supports hybrid work, and strengthens connection and purpose will naturally draw employees. The opportunity to design a signature experience within a company’s global real estate portfolio may only happen once a decade, translating its workplace strategy into a highly human-centered environment. Global healthcare leader Sanofi, manufacturer of a range of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and consumer products, engaged architecture and design firm Gensler for its Sanofi M Station Office in Morristown, New Jersey.
Sanofi’s workplace strategy leaders wanted the project to address three core goals:
- Create a setting that offers choice in use,
- Encourage a cultural shift toward in-person collaboration, and
- Establish an active, visible presence in downtown Morristown.
The resulting design, at 260,000 sq. ft., emphasizes connection, variety, and well-being, with spaces that support focused work, social interaction, and places to recharge throughout the day. Every design decision — spatial, material, and functional — is intentionally aligned to bring Sanofi’s global, people-first workplace strategy to life. The goal was to create a cohesive environment that supports, engages, and inspires employees, delivering a “home away from home” experience.
Wellness and functionality are integrated at every scale. The interconnecting stairs and active design cues encourage movement and visibility throughout the day. An on-site health clinic with personalized primary care supports the health and well-being of employees, aligning with Sanofi’s broader mission in healthcare. The fitness center has a concierge, a gym with weights and cardio machines, a yoga/barre zone, and offers showers and lockers. Adjacent to the workplace, the fitness center maintains a thoughtful yet seamless separation from the office environment. A mothers’ suite, meditation rooms, neurodivergent-friendly quiet zone, and hospitality-led experiences support employees’ holistic well-being.
“With the Sanofi M Station project, we set out to create something truly special for employees — somewhere they would genuinely want to come to,” says Ashley Gross, vice president of Global Real Estate, Sanofi. “The goal was to bring a sense of home and comfort into the workplace and to design an environment that makes the commute feel worthwhile by elevating the everyday experience of being together in person.”
Hospitality yields a magnetic office
Hospitality staff provide personalized, concierge-style support, helping employees navigate the building, activate amenities, and engage fully with the workplace. Their presence ensures the space feels intuitive, welcoming, and consistently activated. Designed to host large-scale gatherings for internal and external partners, the 240-seat tiered auditorium is equipped with advanced lighting and audiovisual capabilities. Arced benches optimize sightlines to presenters while complementing the workplace’s warm, hospitality-inspired aesthetic.
“At Sanofi M Station, we set out to address one of the biggest questions facing workplaces today: how do you make the office truly magnetic?” said Whitney Eveler, design director at Gensler’s Boston office. “This project was never just about bringing people back into the office — it was about reimagining what the workplace could be. The goal was to create an environment where people genuinely want to come together for collaboration, mentorship, innovation, and connection, while giving them choice in how they work throughout the day.”
From chef-led pop-ups to café-style pantries — food service amenities foster connection. The Morris Proper, a public-facing restaurant, blurs the boundary between work and community while strengthening Sanofi’s connection to the surrounding neighborhood. Reflecting the warmth and sophistication of the floors above, the venue can easily transition from day to night, providing the perfect setting for a team lunch, an informal meeting, or joining friends for dinner.
The adjacent pre-function space features a tile mosaic floor with an oversized floral pattern — mirroring the theme of biophilic design offers café amenities and acts as an overflow for the workplace when the auditorium is not in use. An interconnecting stair links the auditorium to the rest of the workplace floors, integrating the venue within the workplace.
“Compared to our previous offices in Bridgewater, where the focus was more traditional workstation-driven layouts, the Sanofi M Station spaces intentionally shift the emphasis toward collaboration, socialization, and well-being,” adds Gross. “We prioritized places to eat, gather, and connect, because those are the things you can’t replicate at home. The workstations are still important, but they are no longer the primary driver of the workplace experience.”
Sanofi in the house. Sanofi in the community.
Beyond the workplace, Sanofi is an active and visible participant in the life of downtown Morristown, with more than 2,000 Sanofians contributing to daily life of the community and supporting local small businesses. The lobby prioritizes the street-level experience over corporate branding, reinforcing openness and accessibility.
Located in the heart of Morristown’s walkable, transit-rich district, Sanofi M Station (at the Morristown NJ Transit station) supports sustainable commuting and offers immediate access to local amenities and green space. Early metrics reveal the design’s success, with onsite employee presence surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and supporting a phased expansion from an initial two workplace floors to five.
“Every aspect of the design is centered on elevating the everyday employee experience,” says Eveler. “From quiet focus spaces and collaborative hubs to wellness amenities and hospitality-driven experiences, the workplace is designed to support wellbeing and foster community. Seeing onsite engagement surpass pre-pandemic levels demonstrates the impact thoughtful, human-centered design can have in creating spaces where people want to be.”
Measurable green standards and circular economy practices
Sustainability and longevity are foundational to Sanofi M Station, creating a workplace that minimizes environmental impact while remaining adaptable for the future. The project integrates energy efficiency, resource conservation, and durable, health-forward materials to deliver a high-performing, resilient workspace.
The building is designed to use approximately 28% less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 24% compared to standard offices. Water use is reduced by 37% through efficient fixtures and systems. Materials were carefully selected for recycled content, responsible sourcing, low VOCs, and durability, with manufacturers following circular economy and end-of-life takeback practices. High-efficiency mechanical systems, LED lighting with daylight sensors, and a high-performance building envelope enhance comfort while reducing operational carbon.
Sanofi also addressed mobility as part of its carbon strategy: Fully subsidized transit, Wi-Fi-enabled shuttles, and 21 on-site EV chargers support low-carbon commuting. Flexible floorplates and modular systems ensure long-term adaptability, reducing future waste and obsolescence. Sanofi M Station is pursuing LEED and WELL certifications, exemplifying a holistic approach to sustainable design while delivering measurable environmental benefits while ensuring relevance, resilience, and employee well-being far into the future.
By integrating flexibility, hospitality, and intentional design, Sanofi M Station sets a new benchmark for workplace experience — positioning the office as a destination rather than an obligation. See the Sanofi M Station project video here.
