Project Profile

Auburn Hills, MI

Project Details

New Construction: Yes

Date Built: 1998

Building Type: Corporate headquarters, Technical centers

City: Auburn Hills

State: MI

Country: USA

Project Team

Architect: Davis Brody Bond, LLP

Description

The client is one of the world's leading automotive suppliers for both original equipment and after-market segments. In 1994 it began a major expansion program which consolidated its multiple administrative, design, testing, and research facilities. Several corporate strategies were developed that directly influenced the design of this new facility. In response to the highly competitive auto market, it had integrated suppliers in the design and production process, created a high level of employee responsibility and activity, and encouraged collaborative work processes. This high-tech, 120,000-square-foot building was commissioned to support these aims and goals.

The design had to meet several challenges:

• Support more flexible, integrated team-oriented work patterns

• Create a unified identity by housing two formerly separate companies in one building

• Integrate the design, sales, research, prototyping, project management and testing staff into cross-functional project teams which are structured around specific clients and product lines

• Showcase the technical and research facilities of the company, as well as allow for highly confidential prototype development

The building is located in a light-industrial corporate office development in the suburbs of a major American city. The exterior of the building reflects the programmatic relationships within. The south facade fronts a major street. The public street frontage displays a high-bay open lab testing area which contains custom-manufactured testing equipment. Aluminum sunshades, which protect the clear glass enclosure of the testing lab, allow views to the wind tunnels and large-scale testing equipment. Metal panels clad areas of the lab that are high-security and light-sensitive. To the rear of the building is a landscaped employee parking area and an entry court. The site has been planned for expansion of the testing bay and the addition of a vehicle wind tunnel on the eastern edge.

The building was planned as a rectangular volume zoned into three program areas: public spaces, engineering team spaces (on two levels), and a high bay testing laboratory. Three-story tower elements containing lab and conference spaces punctuate the edge between the lab and the office areas. The interlocking of programs within the towers encourages interaction between the design teams and the testing facility.

On the west a steel frame supports overhead sunshading which unifies and protects the public spaces. The cafeteria, which occupies the westernmost tower front a protected garden. A clear glass box in the northwestern corner encloses the lobby and display area. The remainder of the north facade is an integration of translucent and clear glass which allows diffuse natural light into the two floors of engineering offices.

The resulting design achieved the company's objectives in the following ways:

• Use of interior sound-proof glazing promoted high visibility of laboratory to engineering team / clients

• Internal skylit stair / lounge / meeting areas were designed to promote interaction between two office levels

• Development of team rooms were conveniently located for flexible assignment

• Opportunities were made available for visual display of products, performance reports, schedule and benchmarking

• Location of test lab services were located in a ceiling grid system to allow flexibility in future arrangement

• Inclusion of cafeteria on-site as an amenity promotes interaction between staff, as well as reducing time spent out of the office

• The design aesthetic intentionally reflects the company's focus on sophisticated, highly engineered components and systems

NOTES of INTEREST

This high-technology 120,000 square-foot building is located in a light-industrial corporate office development in a Detroit suburb. The building was planned as a rectangular volume zoned into three program areas: public spaces, engineering team areas, and a high bay testing laboratory. Three-story tower elements containing laboratory and conference spaces punctuate the edge between the laboratory and office areas. The interlocking of programs within the towers encourages interaction between the design teams and the testing facility.

The design aesthetic intentionally reflects the company's focus on sophisticated, highly engineered components and systems.

JURY COMMENTS

"Detailing of mechanical components is rational, controlled and simply executed...captures natural light and offers views to make this an invigorating workspace."

(Photographer: Paul Warchol)