Corporate
L’Oreal, North America Research & Innovation Center

L’Oreal

North America Research & Innovation Center

the story

Located in Clark, New Jersey, L’Oréal Groupe’s North America Research & Innovation Center, the largest research facility outside of Paris, blends innovation, brand identity, and sustainability to create a workplace that truly reflects the company’s culture. Designed to support a broad spectrum of product categories—including hair care and color, skincare and cleansing, makeup, and augmented beauty—the center enhances North America’s R&I capabilities. Its focus spans open innovation, beauty tech and digital advancement, inclusive development and testing, as well as regenerative beauty and procedures.

The facility also plays a critical role in accelerating talent acquisition, fostering partnerships with leading universities, startups, academics, and vendors. Ultimately, the project delivers a refined yet vibrant space where innovation and beauty thrive side-by-side.

[logo] at-a-glance

TYPE:
Renovation and Addition
SERVICES:
Architecture
Interior Design
Lab/Sim Planning
Landscape Architecture
Programming & Planning
LOCATION:
Clark, NJ
STATUS:
Completed 2025
SIZE:
257,185 NSF
Insight

L’Oréal Groupe, the world’s leading beauty player, comprised of a rich portfolio of 37 international brands, has built its legacy on more than 115 years of scientific innovation. Founded by a chemist in 1909, L’Oréal has stayed true to its roots by placing science at the heart of its business model—delivering high-performing, safe, and superior-quality products to each consumer around the world. With 21 research centers across 13 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and 8,000 Digital talents, L’Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse.

Solution

The transformation of L’Oréal’s North America Research and Innovation Center—from five separate, function-specific buildings into a single, integrated facility—reflects the company’s deep commitment to its unique, end-to-end innovation model. This unified R&I Center now embodies the full spectrum of L’Oréal’s R&D approach, from upstream advanced research on breakthrough ingredients to downstream formulation and product development ready for scale-up and consumer testing.

L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Site

Five existing buildings were consolidated into one (renovated with additions) to improve operations efficiency and avoid previous circulation conflict of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Aerial

By breaking down physical and functional silos, the single facility fosters greater collaboration, creativity, and speed—enabling teams to deliver safe, high-performance, and responsible beauty solutions with even greater impact.

L'Oreal Section and Before
Impact

The new Research & Innovation Center plays a vital role in enhancing the company’s capacity to drive scientific and technological advancements that support its mission to meet the diverse beauty needs of consumers in the U.S. and around the world.

L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center exterior

Using an elegant modern palette of manufactured stone panels, wood-veneered composite accent panels, and black curtain wall framed glazing, the building received a fresh and cohesive look.

L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Flexible Lab and Office Connection

The design integrates laboratory and office spaces through interior glass, promoting visibility and interdisciplinary collaboration. Bold colors, natural materials, and biophilic design reinforce L’Oréal’s vibrant culture, while open workspaces and “bubble rooms” foster interaction and creativity.

L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Flexible Lab

Flexible lab systems with modular utility access allow teams to adapt to changing research needs.

L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Espresso Cafe
A central feature is the espresso café, a cherished tradition that originated in Paris and is now a staple in all company facilities. This inviting space serves as a daily ritual, where colleagues gather in the morning to connect, recharge, and engage with one another.
L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Cafeteria
A bright, welcoming cafeteria, designed with a variety of seating options and table sizes to accommodates everything from quick lunches to informal team discussions.
L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Cafeteria
Overhead, acoustic ceiling “clouds” add a subtle, whimsical design touch while helping to manage sound levels. Natural light floods the interiors through new clerestories, and glass exterior walls, enhancing energy performance and employee well-being.
L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Consumer Testing Waiting

The Consumer Evaluation Center welcomes up to 400 visitors per day for hands-on product testing.

L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center Consumer Testing Salon

Professional stylists test products on real people to assess performance in authentic conditions in an in-house salon.

The facility has been designed to meet the highest standards of environmental performance, with the purpose of achieving LEED Platinum certification.
An array of 10,000 solar panels, enough to power 350 average homes, supplies approximately 70% of the site’s energy needs at peak consumption.
Renewable, Cross Laminated Timber decking, significantly reduces the reliance on carbon-intensive steel and cement.
L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center exterior pond
An eco-retention pond naturally manages stormwater runoff, helping to prevent flooding and pollution, while a palette of native and adaptive plants fosters biodiversity and supports resilient, low-maintenance plant communities.
L'Oreal North America Research and Innovation Center exterior gardens and terrace
Victory gardens—employee-led vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens—along with composting initiatives that divert 95% of food waste, help minimize plastic use and promote recycling.

Project Contacts