Biopharmaceutical company Actelion

Actelion has been growing steadily and at times rapidly since its founding, with sales and profits continually rising. Besides the four drugs that are already on the market, many new and highly promising compounds are currently under development. To offer sufficient space for the discovery and development of these "pipeline" drugs, the company is constantly expanding. The new headquarters in Allschwil, the Actelion Business Centre, will be the company's most striking trademark. This is down to the distinctive style of Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron, who also designed the Olympic Stadium ("Bird's Nest") in Beijing. The components that make up the building appear stacked seemingly at random and stand out from afar. The discrete office blocks jut upwards and outwards, the structure's exterior thus already signalling that this inspiring environment is a hotbed for innovative ideas.

To guarantee reliable protection for the exclusive building project during the entire construction phase, the managers in charge assigned three to four Securitas staff to the site on weekdays. They ensured firstly that only workmen with a valid ID badge could access the building site. Secondly they permanently conducted inspection rounds both indoors and out. At weekends separate surveillance made sure that any damage was immediately reported and that vandalism on the construction site never had a chance. Inside the Actelion Business Centre a comprehensive security solution from Securiton will in future provide professional protection against fires. Just under 800 combined fire detectors have been installed to detect the slightest hint not only of smoke but also of heat. With their intelligent electronics the detectors automatically adapt to ambient conditions. The sensitive plant and equipment rooms are monitored by water detectors; the natural gas supply line to the heating system, by a gas warning system. An intrusion alarm system, also equipped with motion detectors, and an access control system protect the premises against "unwanted visitors". The intrusion and fire alarm system is connected to the SLS Security Management System from Securiton. Actelion's new and architecturally striking Business Centre was officially inaugurated on 10 December 2010.