Crinetics Pharmaceuticals by HGA and Burger Construction | San Diego Office Photography

Contrary to popular opinion, science is cool (!), and Crinetics Pharmaceuticals' headquarters is the perfect example of a chic office and laboratory space for cutting-edge, life-saving research. 

We did a full-day architectural photoshoot at this retrofitted two-story building in San Diego, California. My clients, HGA and Burger Construction, redid the interior to accommodate a mix of office spaces and laboratories. The building is thoughtfully crafted to facilitate a hybrid work setting, offering various environments that promote collaboration, learning, and success. The interior elements were inspired by the molecular structure used in Crinetics' logo. This inspiration permeates the entire building's form, program, circulation, and landscape layout. 

While it was fun to shoot this newly renovated space, it also posed challenges because staff had already moved into the labs we needed to photograph. It was all hands on deck, but we made it happen with great cooperation between us and our clients!

Planning This Office and Laboratory Photography Shoot

As we only had one day to complete the photo shoot of this two-story San Diego building, we needed to plan in advance to ensure that all of the different spaces were adequately photographed and showcased their unique features! Here’s how we planned the shoot and captured all the different spaces.

Photographing the Lobby

The staple architectural feature of this San Diego office building is the two-story lobby, which has a floating conference room above the reception area. Hanging from the ceiling are stunning molecular-inspired structures that provide a unique focal point and first impression to visitors. We needed to highlight this design feature while showing off the different angles of this reception area. A central set of open stairs connects the two wings of the building.

Photographing the Offices

The office areas provide warm and inviting spaces for colleagues at Crinetics Pharmaceuticals to work and collaborate together. With a mix of enclosed and open spaces, we focused on photographing small details such as wall greenery, comfy furniture, throw pillows, and calming paintings that provide a human touch to spaces that are typically more impersonal. Our photographs needed to evoke a spirit of collaboration and innovation, which was a main priority of HGA and Burger Construction when refitting the interior space.

Photographing the Labs

One of the trickier aspects of this shot was photographing the labs. Due to their scientific and research environment, these spaces require extra safety and security concerns, and we also had to navigate around the staff that had already moved in. Working closely with HGA and Burger Construction, we captured the cutting-edge laboratories while highlighting the pops of blue and window walls to make the spaces seem less sterile and more open.

Photographing the Conference Center

The flexible conference center is the heart of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals' collaborative and forward-thinking spirit. Depending on the meetings being conducted and the number of people present, HGA and Burger Construction designed smaller meeting rooms that could transform into spacious, unified meeting spaces. We focused on highlighting this space's versatility.

Photographing the Lounge Areas

A fully equipped fitness center adjoins a spacious cafeteria area, eventually opening onto an ample outdoor amenity space (currently under construction). This area utilizes couches, fish tanks, and calming colors to make it a relaxing and casual environment for all colleagues. This space was especially hip and cool!

Bringing the Office to Life with Models

Our goal was to show all aspects of working life in this versatile office and laboratory space. By utilizing models (don’t they look like real scientists?!), we not only personalized the spaces but brought them to life for current and future employees!

For tips on utilizing models, check out this blog post.

It was super dope to photograph this unique San Diego office space and laboratory for HGA and Burger Construction!

Architect: HGA

General Contractor: Burger Construction

Mechanical Engineer: Pacific Rim Mechanical

Electrical Engineer: Ickler Electric Corporation

Floor Specialists: Howard’s Rug Co. of San Diego