Smith+Nephew Academy
Project brief
Smith+Nephew was looking to create its flagship European facility to provide doctors from around the world with a space for training and research and development (R&D).
This groundbreaking facility serves as a pivotal hub, connecting healthcare professionals with Smith+Nephew's global marketing and R&D teams. The project has established an advanced centre for surgical innovation and training.
Centred on R&D and medical training, S+N's new Academy aims to accommodate up to 5,000 healthcare providers annually. It required a unique combination of spaces, including wet and dry labs, various training facilities, exhibition and auditorium spaces, and additional essential features.
Designing a truly unique academy
Smith+Nephew wanted to create a 3,500 sqm academy, bringing together all functions to offer a cutting-edge training facility, whilst providing an office work environment in the same building.
Level one accommodates the main floor and reception areas, alongside the exhibition center, cafeteria, wet labs, VR training center, video and recording studio, and an auditorium.
Level five is the centre for the main office featuring 40 desks, meeting rooms, and individual focus pods, offering staff and visitors any type of work environment they may need.
A brand-led design
Our designers worked closely with the branding team to ensure workplace guidelines were adhered to, whilst providing ideas to help it feel fresh and innovative.
We used their well-known bright and fresh colour palette throughout the process with two primary colours used per room, all softened and linked together with grey, neutral tones. This created a contemporary and bright look and feel, making it feel clean, but also warm and inviting.
Layers of complexity
Bringing such an innovative and cutting edge academy to fruition presented its share of challenges. The building, nearly four decades old and originally designed for hospitality rather than commercial use, demanded extensive remodelling and structural adaptations to align it with its new purpose.
To ensure a smooth process, our team utilised advanced 3D scanning technology to generate an accurate model of the building. Throughout the project, we integrated Building Information Modeling (BIM) to facilitate smooth coordination with consultants.
A further complicating factor was that the building was also partly occupied during the construction phase. Working around other refurbishment works and tenants made the delivery logistically challenging, but with close collaboration, careful planning and constant communication, our team was able to create a programme that worked for everyone.
Project outcomes
We have established a flagship environment where healthcare providers can engage in immersive digital and interactive experiences, driving collaboration and innovation. The academy in Munich is the latest addition to Smith+Nephew's global network of nine academies, across three continents. We are honoured to have been selected to oversee the development of the next academy in Singapore, collaborating closely with our local teams to uphold consistent global workplace standards.
Client
Smith+Nephew Academy
Location
Munich, Germany
Completion
2024
Service
Strategy
Design
FF&E
Construction
Pernod Ricard


The exhibition centre is a truly experiential area, featuring a 4 x 2.5-metre screen to showcase its innovative products. We also incorporated an interactive history wall to showcase their journey over the years, juxtaposing the past with a futuristic design installation and digital integration.

To make the academy stand out and to connect it to its local environment, we added a touch of locality into the design. Taking inspiration from the famous Munich Allianz Arena, we created a blue-lighted corridor entrance tunnel at the entry to the facility.








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