Philadelphia 76ers Innovation Lab

The leadership of the Philadelphia 76ers approached Kimball International looking for a furniture partner for their new state-of-the-art training complex. The organizations immediately connected with a vibrant energy and bonded over their desire to do things differently.

The 76ers were looking to embrace new workplace trends, and Kimball International created a sandbox that would let everyone explore the workplace of the future. The end result is a 10,000-square-foot Innovation Lab in the new 76ers training complex in Camden, New Jersey.

The ultimate goal of the Innovation Lab is to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit while supporting, energizing, and connecting the business communities in southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. The space was designed to serve as an innovative ecosystem that truly optimizes productivity in today’s high energy workplace.

The Innovation Lab not only houses 76ers employees, but also provides office space and consulting services to progressive start-up businesses. This fosters innovation, promotes thought leadership, and taps into the vast network of resources from Kimball International and the Philadelphia 76ers, ultimately laying the groundwork for lasting success. It incorporates successful Alternative Work Strategies to allow start-ups to discover how the physical work environment can encourage behaviors linked to creativity.

Innovation Lab spaces offer everyone greater variety, more opportunities for collaboration, and a smarter use of resources. Whether occupants need areas for focused work or spaces that encourage collaboration and teamwork, the lab incorporates a mix of solutions that support various work styles and preferences. It also provides an opportunity to study work patterns (including issues related to density, privacy, space optimization, and general productivity) and respond to the challenges of high growth, fast-paced work environments.

The real-time data collected from integrated technology in the lab will enable quicker, more informed decisions. The basic premise of Alternative Work Strategies is to support more efficient performance by using less real estate. The Innovation Lab reinforces this by creating inspirational and multifunctional spaces in which extraordinary work happens wherever, whenever, and however it needs to get done

“If I could describe the space in one word, it would be exhilarating,” said Dr. Elizabeth Bales, an Innovation Lab entrepreneur and founder of Doc & Phoebe’s Cat Co. “The space is comfortable and exceptionally designed. It is made up of well thought-out, intimate zones that are filled with creative energy to get your job done. The lab is not housed with typical office furniture, but has zones and areas that set the tone for cutting edge creativity within the lab. You can move throughout the space at any time, depending on the mood or need at hand.”

DR. ELIZABETH BALES, AN INNOVATION LAB ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER OF DOC & PHOEBE'S CAT CO.