Synopsys Offices – Munich
Gensler designed the Synopsys offices in Munich to embody a hospitality-driven approach, fostering a vibrant and flexible workplace that redefines tech culture while embracing sustainability and community connections.
Putting hospitality at the heart of tech for Synopsys’ next-gen workforce in Munich
For Synopsys’ new Munich office, the vision was to create a hospitality-inspired environment that felt elevated and welcoming, reimagining the traditional tech workplace. Designed to support evolving ways of working, the space aims to be a magnet for next-gen talent in the city.
Building on a longstanding global relationship with Synopsys, Gensler was engaged to design the interiors of their new Munich workplace. Synopsys is working with semiconductor and systems customers to accelerate technology innovation, and as their operations continue to scale rapidly, the brief demanded both spatial efficiency and a cultural shift to fit a growing team into a smaller footprint aligned to updated workplace guidelines.
The office spans the ground floor of the i8 building, located in one of Munich’s most vibrant emerging districts, which marks a redefinition of culture for the firm. The surrounding area is defined by contemporary architecture, youthful energy, and lifestyle-oriented development. Restaurants, gyms, indoor climbing walls, and event venues are interspersed throughout, with many of them open to the public. Proximity to one of Munich’s major train stations ensures the site is well-connected to the rest of the city.
Situated in a highly visible location in the building, the workplace needed to feel visually and materially aligned with the architecture. Close coordination between Gensler, the client, and the base architect ensured that all interior elements – from finishes to furnishings – were selected to harmonise with the broader design language. Rich materiality, including wood, marble accents, and terrazzo-like recycled tabletops, creates a grounded aesthetic.
Reflecting the high-performance ethos of the timber-structured, LEED Platinum-certified building, Gensler’s interior fit-out also targets LEED Platinum, incorporating abundant natural materials. High ceilings and expansive glazing create a bright, uplifting atmosphere, while thoughtful scale modulation – including lowered wall panelling and suspended planters – brings a sense of intimacy to the open floorplate.
The exterior vibrancy of the new neighbourhood is matched by the refined, hospitality-infused interior, offering employees and visitors a more contemporary and comfortable experience. Gensler’s design reimagined how the space could flex between modes of working. The key to the solution was modularity, with a fully interchangeable system of workstations and environments that could shift between more collaborative, sofa-rich layouts and desk-centric setups. The triangular collaboration hub, a standout spatial gesture, can flex between hands-on workshops and informal dining. An airy central atrium welcomes visitors, and biophilic elements are embedded throughout, with generous planting used to define zones and support acoustic comfort.
One of the core challenges was lighting: due to building constraints, almost nothing could be suspended from the ceiling. Gensler’s team devised innovative solutions, using integrated joinery, wall lighting, and freestanding fixtures to ensure a cohesive, warm atmosphere throughout, without relying on overhead lights.
Over 20 module studies were tested and refined to meet the constraints of the building and the client’s ambitions. The result is a space that is flexible and built to evolve. It’s a workplace that marks a step change not just for how Synopsys works in Munich, but how it presents itself globally: bold, inviting, and built with care for both people and planet.
Design: Gensler
Photography: Nick Frank
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