# Swirling Concrete Interiors The Merck Innovation Center Has a Series of Complex Staircases By Joey Haar | Published 2018-06-01 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merck-innovation-center References: [archdaily](https://www.archdaily.com/895359/merck-innovation-center-architect-henn) Many would argue that the greatest innovations arise when people are able to make connections between areas that seem completely disconnected from one another, and the Merck Innovation Center's interior makes that philosophy a material design. The building's interior features three different [concrete walkways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shire) that cross each other at unusual angles and lead to unexpected areas of the building, allowing people to move through it in the same way as ideas moving from one industry to another. From the outside, the Merck Innovation Center has a [modern aesthetic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flat-iron-house). It is mostly covered in glass, symbolizing the company's willingness to see through the obstacles that might be ahead. Aside from the swirling concrete, the interior also features a single [polished steel pole](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glassbrick-apartment) that extends from the ground to the ceiling. Image Credit: [HG Esch, Hennef](http://www.hgesch.de/home/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 9% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Interconnected Spaces:** Designing buildings with interconnected spaces could inspire and promote innovative thinking. - **Unexpected Walkways:** Creating unexpected walkways within a building could help stimulate creativity and encourage exploration. - **Innovative Interior Design:** Innovative interior design can foster a more creative and inspiring workplace. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Architects could incorporate interconnected spaces and unexpected walkways in their designs to foster more innovative buildings. - **Interior Design:** Interior designers could experiment with innovative design concepts to create more inspiring workplaces. - **Corporate Innovation:** Companies could take inspiration from the Merck Innovation Center and design their own spaces to foster more innovative thinking and creative collaboration. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Clover-Style Conference Center Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zgc-international-innovation-center.md) - [Vibrant Multi-Level Office Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gensler.md) - [Exposed Concrete Factory Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mallcom-factory.md) - [Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/civic-architects-and-vdndp.md) - [Graphic-Accented Brutalist Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jean-verville.md) - [Stone Building Auditoriums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centre-de-congrs.md) - [Protein-Inspired Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/folded-protein-molecule.md) - [Staggered Floor Modern Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-seven-floors.md) - [Energy-Saving Artistically Contoured Ceilings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contoured-ceiling.md)