NIRAS Building LEGO's New Product Development Hub
LEGO owners KIRKBI is building the LEGO Group's new Innovation Campus in Billund, Denmark. The campus is being designed by CEBRA Architects, with NIRAS Building Engineering and NIRAS Construction Management as partners.
The Innovation Campus is the third campus for the LEGO Group in Billund, and is set to open in 2027. It will be a central hub for the company's product development, marketing, gaming, and quality teams. The campus will feature six colour-coded buildings made from FSC-certified timber, and will be designed to target LEED Platinum standards.
Builders NIRAS, a Denmark-based multi-disciplinary and multinational engineering consultancy, says it is “committed to sustainable progress and service delivery”.
The 50,000-square-metre campus will serve as LEGO’s global centre for product and design, uniting diverse teams under one roof to foster creative and eco-friendly product development.
Slated for completion in 2027, the campus's design was inspired by LEGO employees, who used LEGO bricks to help architects create spaces that would encourage collaboration and innovation.
CEO, Niels B Christiansen and Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Julia Goldin, were present for the ground-breaking ceremony, both of whom envision the Innovation Campus as more than just a headquarters.
“Innovation Campus will house all aspects of our development process, from the conception and design of physical products to immersive digital experiences, under one roof,” commented Niels.
This investment highlights LEGO’s commitment to creating supportive workplaces that foster employee well-being and creativity, while also advancing the company’s sustainability goals.
Sustainability at the core
LEGO’s new building marks another milestone in its journey toward sustainability, aiming to embody the company’s ambitious environmental goals.
Listed among the top 250 companies for its sustainability initiatives in 2024, LEGO is dedicated to reaching net-zero emissions and this campus is set to reflect these values.
Designed with input from LEGO’s own creative minds across an 18-month consultation period, the building itself is a fusion of sustainable practices and design innovation.
The architectural concept is modular, mirroring the LEGO brick structure itself, with six overlapping sections that will include four floors of interconnected spaces. These spaces will house creative work environments, including play zones, atriums and ‘PlayWay’ pathways that connect various parts of the building.
Maximising natural light and integrating green spaces throughout, the campus layout is intended to enhance both creativity and environmental consciousness.
Furthermore, every part of the building’s wooden structure is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified timber, meaning the wood is responsibly managed and harvested to minimise environmental impact.
According to the company, this structural choice significantly reduces the building’s upfront carbon emissions.
Additionally, LEGO aims to achieve LEED Platinum certification - a high standard for environmentally responsible building practices that emphasises resource efficiency and low-impact operations.
LEED Platinum buildings focus on reducing water and energy consumption, utilising sustainable materials, preserving biodiversity and advancing air quality, all key facets LEGO integrates into its ambitious design.
A hub for global product development
The Innovation Campus will become a home base for 1,700 employees across various teams, consolidating departments from product marketing and development to quality and gaming.
In particular, LEGO’s more than 600 designers, who work on both physical and digital products, will share this space.
This collaborative environment, centred in Denmark, allows LEGO to fully integrate its product development process in a single location, making it easier for departments to collaborate in real time.
One of the highlights of the campus will be a massive library of LEGO elements, where the company’s vast collection of around 20,000 unique LEGO elements in 70 colours will be catalogued and displayed. This repository will serve as an inspiration hub for designers and will be a key resource for product development.
Julia Goldin described the campus as “an inspiring workplace that honours the modular design of LEGO bricks,” noting that the space will represent “the fun and innovation embodied by the LEGO brand.”
By drawing together its diverse global team in one location, LEGO seeks to strengthen its creative processes, unify teams and nurture a collaborative atmosphere that drives innovative products and digital experiences.
Commitment to LEGO’s core values
This new campus reflects LEGO’s commitment not only to its employees but to a sustainable future, taking concrete steps to reduce its environmental footprint.
For example, the FSC-certified wood reduces the building’s upfront emissions, while the incorporation of green spaces and daylight maximises energy efficiency and employee comfort.
With these sustainable measures, LEGO’s campus aligns with the company's mission to “inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow,” embodying the values that drive its products and initiatives.
As Julia puts it: “By bringing our teams together into one building, Innovation Campus becomes a unique and powerful driver for uniting all aspects of our development process, from ground-breaking physical products to immersive digital experiences and world-class marketing, all under one roof.”
With the Innovation Campus, LEGO sets the stage for a new chapter of growth, creativity and sustainable development.
By integrating sustainable practices with cutting-edge design facilities, LEGO's Innovation Campus exemplifies the company's commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing and innovative product development - aligning with LEGO's broader sustainability goals and its mission to inspire future generations.
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