IN PLACE June 2025 Newsletter
IN PLACE June 2025 Newsletter
One big thing: Ebbrell Architecture + Design reimagined MERL’s 30,000 ft² headquarters infusing hospitality elements into a high-tech research environment, all while keeping operations running.
Why it matters: R&D spaces don’t have to feel antiseptic. This phased renovation proves that warmth, flexibility, and functionality can coexist, even in a facility focused on innovation.
Design highlights:
👋🏼 Welcoming first impression: Transformed the front-of-house into a concierge-style reception suite with flexible, multi-purpose “touchdown zones” and a modern admin workspace.
☕ Café-style connection: Designed a vibrant, coffee shop-inspired café that doubles as the heart of staff engagement and a pre-function space for the training room.
🔍 Lab-smart layout: Reconfigured the electronics labs and added informal collaboration areas tailored to MERL’s evolving research model.
🧑🏽💻 Intern-ready upgrades: Improved flexibility and support for MERL’s robust summer intern program with refreshed workspaces and wellness zones.
🛠️ Live renovation: Updated finishes and furnishings across 1.5 floors, strategically phased to avoid disrupting daily operations.
The bottom line: EAD blended hospitality design with research functionality to create a more human-centered HQ, one that’s ready for the next generation of discovery.