This state-of-the-art office and lab blends boutique hospitality with cutting-edge functionality.

In Houston’s TMC Helix Park, where some of the brightest minds in science, medicine, and innovation gather, a new kind of workspace is redefining what it means to work, collaborate, and recharge. Designed by Melanie Raines, this 355,000-square-foot office and lab space is a masterclass in blending functional design with boutique hospitality.  

“Design is a verb: an exercise in balancing the tone and quality of holistic space with the playful, the irreverent, the functional and the evocative,” says Melanie Raines, founder of her boutique interior architecture and design practice. With this project, she set out to create not just a workplace, but a second home for its users—spaces that inspire, recharge, and enhance well-being.  

This state-of-the-art office and lab sits in the heart of TMC Helix Park, a 37-acre campus designed to foster collaboration among leaders in science, academia, and industry. The building, developed in partnership with Beacon Capital, is certified LEED Gold for sustainability and WELL Gold for its focus on health and well-being. At its core, the design aims to bring the warmth and comfort of boutique hospitality to a cutting-edge research environment.  

“Unlike a boutique hotel, which can be highly-concepted and typically only a pass-through, this building is a second home for many,” says Melanie. “So it needed to be warm and artful without being overly designed.”  

The project features 12 stories of labs and workspaces, with two key areas designed by Melanie Raines: the dynamic lobby, spanning 4,500 square feet, and a 7,000-square-foot amenity space on the seventh floor. Both spaces are designed to offer respite, collaboration, and a sense of balance for the scientists and researchers who work there.  

“It was essential to create a departure from the detailed, intensive work that often happens in scientific research,” Melanie explains. “Above all, the spaces had to be a respite both visually and atmospherically—a place to rest and reconnect.”  

Melanie’s approach to this project was rooted in creating spaces that feel human and approachable, all while keeping the practical needs of a high-functioning workplace in mind.  

“The established brand palette is based in greens, but we chose not to let the Dynamic Green dictate the design,” Melanie says. “It was important to layer texture and pattern alongside a palette of earthy colours to give the spaces more dimension and impact. The lobby and amenity areas have a softer, more sensory environment than the necessarily more ‘clinical’ research spaces.”  

The lobby sets the tone for the building with its striking materials and thoughtful details. A desk of rainbow onyx and American black walnut greets visitors, framed by custom breezeblock, poured terrazzo, marble flooring, and bronze metal panels. “It was an incredible opportunity to get to use unexpected materials for a commercial development; we were encouraged to push boundaries,” Melanie says.  

On the seventh floor, the design team created a space that encourages collaboration and relaxation. Distinctive millwork pieces, white oak casework, handmade tiles, and sculptural light fixtures create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The library shelving isn’t just a visual feature; it’s a functional resource for science periodicals, designed to spark collaboration and discovery beyond traditional workspaces.  

“The light fixtures were a key ingredient to bringing down the scale to that of boutique hospitality,” Melanie explains. “We wanted everything to feel intimate, even in a large-scale commercial setting.”  

One of the biggest challenges for Melanie and her team was bringing a residential-style approach to a building that needed to meet the strict requirements of a commercial space.  

“We were thoughtful about WELL and LEED certification guidelines, including acoustics, material quality, ergonomics, and quality of life,” Melanie says. The result is a building that prioritises sustainability, health, and functionality, without sacrificing style or comfort.  

The furniture arrangements and flexible layouts throughout the lobby and amenity spaces allow users to focus, relax, or collaborate, depending on their needs. “It’s all about creating balance,” Melanie explains.  

TMC Helix Park itself plays a vital role in the overall design concept. The campus includes 18 acres of public green space spread across six parks, offering employees and visitors a tranquil escape from their day-to-day routines.  

For Melanie, this project represents a unique opportunity to bring warmth and humanity to a space that’s often seen as purely functional. “Above all, we wanted this building to feel like a second home for those who use it—a warm, artful space that inspires and recharges,” she says.  

Photos: Chase Daniel, courtesy of Beacon Capital Partners