Flexible, Transparent, and Thoughtful: What Lab Planners Can Learn from Umoja Biopharma
All laboratory benches except those with sinks are modular lab tables with integrated overhead shelving, which are quick-connected to the ceiling service panels. Image: Copyright 2024 Cleary O’Farrell
Umoja Biopharma's new headquarters in Seattle isn't just a cutting-edge research facility—it's a purposeful reflection of the company's mission to advance cancer therapies while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and care. Designed by Boulder Associates and situated in a purpose-built life sciences development by Alexandria Real Estate Equities, the 85,600-sf space seamlessly integrates modular lab flexibility with biophilic design and forward-thinking sustainability.
Founded shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Umoja's Seattle-based staff worked remotely and across dispersed labs until this facility opened in January 2024. The new headquarters consolidates the team into three contiguous floors in the heart of Seattle's Eastlake Life Sciences District, with panoramic views of Lake Union and the iconic Space Needle. The opportunity to imagine a true home from scratch enabled both the client and the design team to create something unique.
"When this company was coming together, and they originally started working together, they were never in one office. They were all remotely working," says Robin Dalton, lead interior designer at Boulder Associates. "I think part of the reason the client was really excited to make this showcase space was just to get people interested in also wanting to work there."
"Not having their own space beforehand allowed for a little more imagination," adds Arthur Furukawa, AIA, LEED AP, principal at Boulder Associates. He observes that this approach may encourage clients to envision what an ideal home for the company could be, rather than concentrating on modifying an existing space.
Grounding design in nature and mission
The lab footprint is identical from floor to floor, with open office areas, conference rooms, and flexible gathering spaces surrounding the lab spaces. Image: Copyright 2024 Lara Swimmer
At the heart of the design is the "Nurse Log" concept—a Pacific Northwest forest metaphor representing regeneration and growth. Each of the three floors reflects a distinct phase of this natural cycle: the forest floor beneath the log (rich in nutrients), the log itself (an organic connector), and the new growth it supports. This conceptual spine is expressed through a curved feature wall that anchors each level and defines the relationship between lab and office zones.
The visual and spatial link between the lab and the workplace was a key design goal. The lab perimeter is punctured with windows and relites that allow transparency without overexposing lab activities—avoiding the dreaded "fishbowl" effect while still showcasing science.
"The majority of the glazing looks out into other workspaces," says Furukawa. "You know you're seeing your colleagues there. It's not like supervisors are watching in an assembly line. Your peers are out there, and you can see what's going on. It provides better communication, and it provides a pathway for the exterior light to come in."
Views from the labs open into shared gathering areas and out toward the city, reinforcing a sense of openness, natural light, and connection. The central spaces feature sustainably sourced cork flooring, custom wood millwork, and locally crafted lighting—all of which emphasize material transparency and regional ties.
"There are great views of the lake," says Dalton. "The people inside the lab were not necessarily in a dark corner, back in the core, and so that made for a great working environment."
Building with flexibility and foresight
Views from the labs look onto the social gathering space and out of the building, providing scientists with natural light and views that connect them to the open office. Image: Copyright 2024 Lara Swimmer
Umoja's research programs are still evolving, and the design anticipates future growth in both personnel and scientific needs. While the company currently occupies two floors, the third is ready for build-out. Lab services—electrical, gas, and data—are routed to overhead ceiling service panels, with modular benches and casework designed to adapt to new workflows or instrumentation quickly.
"Umoja is still a very young company. And as research-based organizations age, their needs can always change," says project lead designer Clayton Richenberg. "When we were working within the labs, we always had this purpose-built but future flexibility in mind." This includes access to lab gases and common location stub-outs above the ceiling on every floor so that if future uses dictate a need for different gases, they can be easily added without requiring major renovations.
The furniture design also reinforces adaptability. The lab spaces are rigorously modular and efficient, while adjacent office areas are more organic, offering staff an aesthetic and psychological contrast. Working closely with Catalyst Workplace Activation and Herman Miller's tailored studios team, the project developed a custom furniture line that meets Umoja's needs while allowing for future reordering and refinement.
Solving problems with trust and technology
In light of their work in cancer research, Umoja was invested in pursuing sustainable and human-safe materials. This includes Forbo Marmoleum Tiles in the lab spaces as opposed to the standard vinyl composite tiles. Image: Copyright 2024 Cleary O’Farrell
One of the biggest challenges arose late in the project: a critical delay in switchgear delivery just a few months before move-in, a ripple effect of ongoing supply chain issues. While this delay could've upended everything, says Richenberg, it instead became a moment of trust and collaboration. "It was really our place as architects to kind of stand back and give space to the construction team," he says, adding that it's crucial to let the people who know the issue best to do their work to fix it.
The team brought together the general contractor, electrical subcontractor, and client to brainstorm contingency plans. By identifying alternative equipment already on hand and evaluating redesign scenarios, they developed a fallback strategy that could have allowed the lab to open on schedule. In the end, the original gear arrived just in time—but the process underscored the collaborative ethos of the project.
That spirit of innovation also extended to construction techniques. The team employed robotic tools for overhead drilling and wall layout, streamlining complex geometries and enhancing worker safety. Robots eliminated the need for repetitive manual labor in one of the most injury-prone tasks—overhead anchoring.
"We had relatively complex wall geometry, a number of irregular curves, and curved areas that needed to be repeated precisely from floor to floor," says Richenberg. Using a robot to lay those out allowed the project team to skip manual dimensioning and reduce shop drawing time. "We didn't need to dimension all of these irregular curves. We didn't need to verify wall locations," he says.
Prioritizing wellness and sustainability
At the public entry to each floor, the gentle curve of the lab wall serves to connect office users and visitors with Umoja’s science. Punched openings provide light and views while maintaining enough privacy to avoid a “fishbowl” feeling. Image: Copyright 2024 Lara Swimmer
Because Umoja's research focuses on cancer therapies, the design team made a pointed effort to avoid materials associated with carcinogenic manufacturing. "How could we ever include materials that are known to cause cancer in their manufacturing in a lab that is trying to cure cancer?" says Richenberg.
The lab floors feature Forbo Marmoleum tiles—a safer alternative to vinyl composite flooring—while the office areas utilize locally sourced Douglas fir and recycled acoustic panels.
The facility's shell and core mechanical systems were also engineered for high-performance life science use, with 100 percent outside air systems, energy-recovery chillers, and tenant-specific control interfaces. The open lab plan, consistent across all three floors, maximizes efficiency while promoting visual connection and natural light penetration.
A showcase and a home
Since moving in, Umoja staff have consistently praised the environment, particularly the balance between high-performance labs and comfortable gathering areas. The curved central walls guide movement, while kitchenettes, soft seating, and refreshment stations foster informal collaboration. For a company previously distributed across remote locations, the space now serves as both a scientific hub and a cultural touchstone.
The project worked because everyone—the client, the contractor, the landlord—was invested in making it great, says Furukawa. "It all starts with the owner that wants good stuff and cares about the employees," he says. "And then the contractor was really on board with what we've done and did a lot of things to try to find ways to save money, ways to be efficient about things." The landlord, he adds, wanted to see their client succeed. "So we did have a perfect storm of involved and qualified people at each of the key positions in the project."
