After a highly competitive selections process, Highland Associates was commissioned to design renovations to the existing high-bay Building 66 manufacturing building. The design will add a new Atrium entrance and 4 new structured floors to house 45,000 square feet of office, Lockers and utility space, with an additional 20,000 square feet of warm shell for expansion. The scope of work also included collaborating with an industrial engineer to add a sprinkler system, truck docks, toilet break areas and life-safety upgrades in the existing 190,000 square foot manufacturing portion of the building. The entire project will be design to achieve LEED Silver Certification. The entrance Atrium provided a startling new entrance and display areas that will introduce visitors to a new product line based on state of the art technology. Multiple planning and design studies were performed to choose the best option to meet key project goals, include enhancing communications and physical access between manufacturing, engineering and administrative personnel, and incorporation of the manufacturing process into the design as a sales tool. The Atrium is designed to allow natural light to flood the multi-story interior. The existing structure employs massive truss columns and long span members. Structural framing for three new floors will frame into existing members, and the interior will feature the geometry of the existing steel truss-like columns. The office area includes space for customer presentations, executive offices and conferencing as well as management offices, back offices and employee lounge space. The circulation elements and patterns are design to provide quick and easy access to and from the manufacturing areas facilitating improved management-worker communication and “all-hands” interactions.
