Ghost Robotics
Ghost Robotics, a leader in cutting-edge robotic systems, partnered with Formcraft to design a new headquarters that reflects their bold brand identity and supports growing operational needs. Located at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, the new space consolidates teams, enhances production flow and embodies the dynamic environments their robotic dogs are built to traverse.
Project Goals
After ten years in business, Ghost Robotics had outgrown its fragmented layout. This now grown-up startup had been operating out of an irregular collection of spaces acquired on an as-needed basis as it grew from UPenn GRASP lab spinout into the highly professional organization it is today. Leadership was looking to unify departments, streamline production and reflect an evolved brand identity. The design aimed to support focused research and development, enable agile collaboration and boost recruitment and retention through an improved employee experience. Efficiency, confidentiality and capacity were key, along with meeting a tight construction schedule. The facility had to balance public-facing zones and secured areas while offering a flexible, high-performance environment for a fast-scaling company.
Design Concept
The design draws direct inspiration from Ghost Robotics’ core product: robot dogs built to move through unpredictable, unstructured terrain. That idea of movement and agility informed angular architectural forms, sloped ceiling planes and a flow of work areas that feels active and dynamic. Deep, moody tones and sharp geometric cuts in branded blue mirror the company’s visual identity. Spaces shift in a smooth progression between openness and enclosure, balancing energy with discretion. The result is a workplace that captures the spirit of Ghost Robotics’ technology while elevating the human experience.
Zoning and Spatial Strategy
The new headquarters unites teams that were previously spread across multiple buildings, creating a cohesive, purpose-built layout. Public and social spaces sit near the main suite entry, now more prominent and directly off the lobby of a high-visibility Navy Yard building. Executive and business support functions (CEO, CFO, CMO, HR, IT, Finance) are centrally located, blending open office areas with enclosed offices. Production, fabrication and repair zones are placed at the west end near the loading dock for efficient operations. A secured, card-access RTI (Robotic Technology Information) zone anchors the north side, supporting confidential development.
Materiality and Brand Integration
Ghost Robotics’ brand identity informed every design decision. Taking cues from their robots’ ability to navigate irregular terrain, angled walls, tiered ceiling forms and sharply detailed millwork suggest constant motion. Branded blue “slices” run through key architectural elements, and LED-backlit metal signage delivers a bold sense of arrival. Digital screens and precision lighting are built into plywood feature walls, blending material craft and tech. Polished concrete flooring offers a durable surface fit for robotic testing. Cork-textured walls in the boardroom subtly evoke a natural landscape while adding warmth and acoustic control.
The dedicated RTI zone was created as a fully functioning lab for robotics assembly, research and testing. These robots operate in extreme conditions, which meant the room had to support heavy impact, intense handling and continuous prototyping. Material selection therefore focused on resistance and long-term performance, ensuring the team could work without hesitation. At the same time, the environment reflects the company’s growing stature, pairing lab-level durability with a more polished, professional setting. It is a space built for hard use, but also for the level of innovation and excellence the team is known for.
Light, Privacy and Performance
Natural light plays a critical role in the new design, especially in work areas. However, privacy remains essential. A custom exterior film allows light in while shielding views of sensitive projects from passers-by. Ceilings are left open in communal areas, enhancing the sense of volume and energy, while high-performing acoustic ceilings are used strategically in enclosed offices and meeting spaces to absorb sound and provide a quieter retreat. Every environment was built with high consideration of mechanical and buildings engineering coordination in mind, especially in the lab and production zones. Across the space, tech integration, visual rhythm and zoned functionality support both innovation and confidentiality: key to Ghost Robotics’ mission.
A Place Where Ideas Take Shape
Ghost Robotics’ new workspace bridges where they started and where they are heading. The team’s roots are entrepreneurial, inventive and intensely hands-on, and those qualities remain central to their identity. The environment accommodates the rugged demands of robotics development while elevating the company’s presence with a more mature, forward-looking setting. It positions Ghost Robotics for continued expansion, supporting both the day-to-day realities of testing cutting-edge machines and the strategic vision guiding their growth. It is a workspace designed for ambition and the people who make bold ideas possible.