—
Over 8000 vehicle engineering employees will move to a new $250 million, two-million-square-foot complex now underway by Clark-Roncelli, A Joint Venture for General Motors. In order to centralize the auto maker’s vehicle engineering groups, GM plans to consolidate into the Vehicle Engineering Complex (VEC) compromised of two connected buildings.
Designed by Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz of San Francisco, the first of the two linked buildings consists of the renovation of a one-million-square-foot, rectangular, two-story building recently labeled the “Podium“. Built in 1955, the Podium’s design was based on Eero Saarinen’s master plan and later updated in 1975. The other element of the new facility is an eight-story, one-million-square-foot “Tower” addition that will be built within a manmade lake running perpendicular to the Podium.
Facility Design
The Tower design includes a structural steel shell with curtain wall and metal panel facade. A 20-foot deep basement within the manmade lake will require concrete walls and slab with exterior waterproofing. This design provides a watertight envelope for mechanical, electrical, communications, and data equipment located in the basement. To protect this critical equipment, a secondary basement slab and under-drain system tied into sump pumps with an emergency backup system is planned.
Another Tower design component used in the facility is an interior bridge with glass rail panels which passes through the main lobby connecting the Podium and Tower. Overlooking the lake and terrace, the first floor includes a two-story “cafetorium” which can seat 1,400 employees. It includes a mezzanine seating area that also contains conference spaces. With the two-story curtain wall around the “cafetorium” at lake-level, the tower appears to be floating when viewed by passing motorists.
Preserving Saarinen’s Legacy
The new Vehicle Engineering Center is located near General Motor’s Technical Center, a landmark facility designed in the 1950’s by renowned architect Eero Saarinen. Considered one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, Saarinen is best known for his designs of the main terminal at Dulles International Airport, the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and the TWA terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Saarinen elements, which are maintained throughout the Podium and continue through the Tower of the VEC, include curtain wall facade, mahogany office wall panels and colorful glazed brick in both the stairwells and on the exterior. Large open courtyard areas will be renovated to maintain the courtyard concept used in the Technical Center but with an improved design to foster interaction among employees. A mock-up area in the basement will be used to display early models of pre-production vehicles. An elevator capable of transporting vehicles from the basement to the first floor exhibition area also is included.
Neighborhood Floor Plan
Grouped together in neighborhoods, break rooms, supply rooms and vending areas can be found throughout the Tower and Podium. With similar layouts, these neighborhoods are replicated throughout the facility for each of the design groups. Each design group neighborhood has color coded walls that also serve a way-finding function in this large complex. In addition, enough conference rooms were planned so that 95% of all employees can utilize meeting space concurrently.
Raised flooring is included throughout the Tower floors along with modular under floor wiring and partitioned under floor areas that allow heating and cooling air to be forced up through registers. Special consideration also was given to the lighting design to provide the best working environment for employees.
Construction Challenges
One of the most significant challenges of the project is the phasing requirements of the Podium renovation, as 2000 GM designers continue to work during construction. Employees will relocate after each of these phases is complete with the entire renovation continuing for a 30-month period. Construction work that may be disruptive will be completed on second shifts or weekends.
Construction is currently underway at the VEC - tower caissons and foundations are proceeding at the Tower, and Podium renovation is underway. In addition to Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz, the team includes Parsons Brinkerhoff of New York as the Program and Construction Manager. Completion is scheduled for the fall of 2003.
Clark Construction Group, LLC is headquartered in Bethesda, Md.
###