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When a world-leading semiconductor manufacturer decided to build their largest-ever U.S. campus, they turned to SSOE as a trusted A&E partner to support making it a reality. The initial campus design and build-out includes two chip fabrication facilities (Fabs), a flagship office, entry building, parking, data centers, warehouses, chemical production and storage, and utility buildings. SSOE was invited to provide design support beginning with site planning, logistics, and enabling, continuing through full design and construction support.

SSOE has developed scope packages for select campus structures including:

  • 52,000 SF flagship entry building. Serving as the public gateway to the facility and the aesthetic and brand-affirming focus for the campus, this space will host client and vendor VIPs, customers, and visitors. Featuring specialized mass-timber construction, it includes an auditorium and an employee wellness amenity center.
  • 670,000 SF six-story high-rise office building. The nerve-center for the new campus, this building includes office spaces, labs, initial employee amenities, a café floor, campus operations and security centers, and a Fab cleanroom gowning space.
  • 2,900 vehicle multi-story parking deck with an integrated 109,000 SF office building. This garage includes EV charging spaces, storage for campus vehicles, and a pedestrian bridge to the main office building for convenience. Additional employee offices are located above the top deck of the structure.
  • Cleanroom-rated building link. Connecting the office structure with the factory floor, this structure allows employees to gown up and enter the cleanroom environment within the office building, and then move into the Fab while maximizing the square footage within the Fab for manufacturing activities.
  • 100,000 SF warehouse with automated storage system and specialized systems for receipt of semiconductor fabrication tools and equipment.
  • 15,000 SF independent data center to support the entire campus.

SSOE was also engaged to apply our modular and fabrication design expertise to executing specialty Lateral design with fabrication design services for both of the initial chip fabs.

A huge undertaking, really eight or nine large projects rolled into one program, our team has exceeded client expectations in terms of detail, thoroughness, and deliverables for every milestone. Our client partnership benefits from our steady contribution of creative design ideas to support not just the stated goals of this campus, but the client’s overall growth strategies.

The ongoing success of this project has resulted in SSOE being awarded design work for a sister facility.

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The SSOE Group architecture, interior, and engineering design teams worked closely with the Tuomey Hospital clinical and facilities staff to expand and renovate the emergency department in Sumter, South Carolina. The ED was originally constructed in the early 1990s. In addition to expanding the facility to accommodate a greater patient load, the existing space is modified to increase efficiency and reduce wait times. The project was designed and constructed in three phases, which allowed emergency services to remain fully operational throughout the construction process. Phase One included a 17,000 SF addition to establish a new walk-in entrance, security station, and patient / family waiting area.

A Rapid Medical Evaluation (RME) unit featuring six triage rooms, which provides immediate patient assessment. In addition, a 22-seat Results Lounge includes a comfortable space for patients and families to wait while diagnostic testing and lab work is being conducted. Patients requiring more acute care can be quickly transferred to one of the adjacent treatment rooms that encircle a central Team Center, where staff have visual observation of 18 new rooms. A new diagnostic imaging room within the ED provides convenience for all patients.

Phase Two includes 13,000 SF of renovations to enlarge existing treatment rooms, create a family waiting area, expansion of support services, and enhancements to staff amenities. Phase Three, to be completed in the future, is designed to enlarge all remaining original treatment spaces, and upgrade trauma bays, and the original nurse and physician work areas. In addition to the six RME Triage rooms, there are a total of 42 treatment rooms and bays.

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Bon Secours Mercy Health’s St. Vincent Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center and Level III NICU, selected SSOE to develop a study to document the renovation and refreshing of the Birthing Center. Responding to local needs, St. Vincent’s advanced a portion of the overall plans to transform three existing antepartum rooms into two Labor, Delivery, and Recovery Rooms to meet the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) standards while enhancing the patient experience.

New windows provide ample light into the spacious and accessible rooms that create well-defined zones for the mother, baby, family, and clinical staff. The refreshed area creates a warm and welcoming environment.

Due to the accelerated nature of the project, SSOE worked in an integrated manner with clinical and facilities staff, along with the selected contractor, to complete the project within an aggressive schedule. The Birthing Center remained in full operation while renovation progressed on the Labor, Delivery, and Recovery Rooms which were located at the hub of the surgical suite, LDRP rooms, and nursing station.

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Working in close collaboration with a long-time client, SSOE transformed the third floor of the Marathon building, known as The Hub, into a modern dining experience and more. This central gathering spot is not just for eating, but also for meetings, attending events, and even working quietly alone in a warm and inviting environment. The variety of settings within the Hub support all of these ways of working and gathering.

The removal of the outdated kitchen and serving line allowed the reorganization of the space to create a modern and open chef-driven cooking arena with fresh food being prepared in front of employees. These opportunities for choice, as well as a visual connection to the cooking, promote positive interaction with space and colleagues. The Hearth, a 7,000-pound Italian pizza oven, encased in copper, centers the serving area and the hospitality feel of the overall space.

The project faced several challenges, one of which was the need to maintain operation while construction took place, catering to a campus with 2,800 employees. The team created 3D models to help the client visualize the space, worked closely with the kitchen crew to map out their steps for efficiency, and collaborated with the kitchen equipment consultant to ensure the space functioned well for the kitchen team. The open kitchen layout provides flexibility for future menu changes and the ability to use less staff with visual monitoring available across the space.

The new café boasts several unique architectural features and a mix of materials that create a balance between enclosed and open spaces, offering exterior views from nearly every angle, while still maintaining a cozy atmosphere.

Located at the center of campus, artist-created signage that complements the interiors provides clear wayfinding to all connecting buildings. Inspired by Marathon’s roots as a refining and transportation company, as well as the Art Deco style of the campus buildings, the Hub speaks in reverence to the past, but also the active future. The

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When Toledo law firm Eastman & Smith needed to lease new office space, they began reevaluating their growing needs while trying to stay connected to their existing roots in downtown. The firm opted to remain in One Seagate and move to the 27th floor of the facility, and they sought SSOE to design their new 22,400 SF space. In order to make this space work, our team of architects and interior designers were able to create an office that reflected the firm’s brand and mission while focusing on providing welcoming spaces for clients and employees.

In their previous space, Eastman & Smith’s office denoted an obvious hierarchy in terms of office size and location. In the new space, the firm wanted a neutral and level playing field, as well as a more collaborative environment. In the new design, the offices are all the same size and are outfitted with the same fixtures. There are no corner offices in the new design, and instead the four corners are spaces that can be utilized by any employee.

To accommodate diverse work needs, the space also features flex offices that allow for a hybrid experience, and large and small meeting rooms. Technology was upgraded throughout the suite to provide team meeting spaces and electronic sign-outs for a variety of spaces.

The renovated space includes employee-focused and collaborative areas: a café with views of the Maumee River, spaces for collaboration and team-bonding, and a wellness room. The wellness room is a private area built for one person to have quiet space. There is a separate mothers room.

Our interior designers worked with the furniture vendor to incorporate prefabricated modular walls for the offices. We selected the furniture and finishes for the built environment. In addition to the aesthetic and functional elements, SSOE provided structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, along with Data / Fire / Security services.

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Chemence purchased a 28,000 SF office building and engaged SSOE to renovate the building in two phases, combining the Research and Development teams for both companies. SSOE provided interior design and engineering services for multiple floors, facilitating an interactive envisioning session for leadership, defined inspiration imagery, space standards, and FF&E selections. In a second renovation phase, Chemence desired to continue the renovation on the lower floor, which included the lobby, restrooms, and office suites focusing on collaboration, flexible areas, and cohesive branding throughout.

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HCW Biologics needed to grow its operation and turned to SSOE to scale up. The client is transitioning from research and development to clinical trials for oncological and age-related medicine. With our Design-Build partner BE&K, SSOE provided full-service programming and planning, architecture, and engineering for the renovation of a 40,000 SF existing office, and warehouse space to be repurposed as laboratories, cGMP production spaces, warehouse, and support spaces.

Through workshops and collaboration with the scientific staff, our team generated a flexible and adaptable research laboratory. We worked with the client to develop their new production facility and guided the client through the development of their manufacturing procedures and established a Quality Assurance / Quality Control process.

Because the pharmaceutical industry is repatriating the drug manufacturing process, SSOE understood the client’s need to fast-track this project. Our national lab planner worked with HCW Biologics to ensure we were not repeating their smaller-scale configuration. Instead, we listened to the client to know what did and did not work in their limited operation to provide a more successful spatial arrangement in the designs for the larger operation.

SSOE designed spaces for specialty research labs including bioreactor, process, and microbiology, in addition to tissue culture and research laboratories. The new 5,000 SF cGMP cleanroom environment includes ISO 7 production labs and an ISO 6 sterile filling suite.

Finally, the project also included the addition of a new 1,000 SF vivarium space that is supplemental to animal holding including procedure rooms, isolation, and support spaces to facilitate vivarium operations. SSOE provided programming, planning, architecture, interior design, fire alarm, fire protection, technology, and structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and process engineering for the project. Construction will be completed in March 2024.

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Gleeds is a leading global property and construction consultancy company, helping businesses and investors achieve the best value from their assets. With over 130 years of experience, their impartial intelligence is key to helping clients achieve their projects on budget, on time, and to an exceptional quality. SSOE was selected to help Gleeds create a new workplace that was welcoming and where their clients, employees, and co-consultants could be both productive and comfortable. The new space supports collaboration and is innovative with smart AV and remote technologies.

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Originally built in the early 1950s by Atlanta architect James C. Wise, the post-war efficiency apartment building has been restored to its previous mid-century modern style after previous renovations converted the building into senior housing and condominium units. Located near Buckhead Village, the SSOE design team transformed the condominium units into a 216-key hotel that now features a restaurant and bar, courtyard dining, a private pool, and a rooftop lounge.

As part of this historic renovation, the original corridors and circulation cores were maintained, and the 216 guestrooms were configured to closely align with the footprint of the initial 1950’s apartments. The existing single-pane aluminum windows were refurbished, and large openings in the brick façade that had been cut-in for HVAC units were carefully toothed back. The entire exterior received a fresh coat of white paint, with light gray accentuating the horizontal elements of concrete brows and sills that trim the windows. At the rooftop, the previous deck was expanded by converting an abandoned mechanical penthouse into a colorful bar venue with roll-up doors and sweeping views of the Buckhead neighborhood.

The preservation of expansive landscaped areas, dining patios, and secret gardens surround the property, each with substantial hundred-year oak and magnolia trees providing canopy above. The seclusion offers a respite from the bustle of Buckhead, yet the property still engages with the urban fabric through the addition of two grand stairs connecting the sidewalk to the south entrance, which is under an existing concrete canopy. A restaurant occupies the same space as one did through the 1970s, with a new romantic dining patio overlooking East Paces Ferry.

The new porte-cochere on the east façade protects hotel guests’ arrival with a prominent steel and polycarbonate canopy inspired by angled canopies of the mid-century modern era. Guests enter through the original vestibule with new stained-glass windows and are met with an inviting living room area featuring a fireplace and views into the courtyard bar. That “secret garden” provides covered dining beneath a steel canopy and pergola, or intimate seating arrangements interspersed throughout the winding landscape paths.

The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel is an award-winning project for adaptive reuse and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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SSOE worked with Delta Air Lines on the renovations to its administrative headquarters lobby and café.

Enhancing Delta’s Brand & Image

Creating an exciting and inspiring first impression for visitors, a space for employees to recharge, and a place to celebrate the heritage of a great company were several goals of the lobby and Woolman Café renovation project. The project supports Delta Air Lines in employee recruitment and retention while drastically enhancing its brand and image. By incorporating natural lighting, furniture selection, finishes and materials, artwork, lighting, and graphics, the newly renovated lobby / café spaces accommodate five services brands, doubled the seating capacity, and demonstrates Delta’s story in a sophisticated and progressive design.

New Hub of Collaboration

The lobby and café work together to create a new employee hub for collaboration, technology, and mobility as well as access to employee amenities including a clinic, fitness center, pharmacy, meeting rooms, and central elevator core for the building. While the lobby addressed Delta’s story, heritage, and visitor reception, the café’s vision is a positive influence on all who encounter the Delta community. The design is fresh, lively, honest, and unexpectedly fun.

Thoughtful & Energized Environment

Converting the existing spaces into this thoughtful, energized environment was no easy task requiring coordination with existing building infrastructure, systems, kitchens, elevators, life safety stairs, and exits. Opening existing exterior walls with large clear windows provides views to the organization’s bustling corporate campus.

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Having extensive international manufacturing experience combined with nationwide higher education experience made SSOE the right choice for Owens Community College for the design of their new Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. SSOE’s manufacturing facility design experts worked closely with our higher education team and the client to incorporate the latest manufacturing trends into Owen’s new real-world training center. We have worked on thousands of industrial projects and kept pace with this dynamic industry by working alongside experts in the field. The application of the knowledge we have gained resulted in the delivery of a teaching and training facility that truly reflects today’s manufacturing environments. Simulation of real-world working environments allows students to be prepared for success as they complete their courses and enter the workforce.

This project included the renovation of an existing high bay building into an advanced manufacturing education and workforce training facility. The facility includes seven classrooms for training and education, five computer labs, hydraulic / pneumatic lab, two mechanical labs, three electrical labs, a robotics lab, pipefitting lab, four building trade labs, group project space, storage for tools and supplies, and offices spaces. The training center houses approximately $3-$4 million worth of advanced manufacturing equipment. Also included in the project is site development to include 100-200 new parking spaces adjacent to the building. The building’s entire mechanical system was also evaluated and updated as needed to fit the project’s needs.

SSOE performed architecture, civil, structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing engineering, fire protection, technology, communications, security design, interior design, and loose furnishings design.

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SSOE’s client ProMedica, a prominent hospital and healthcare system serving communities in 28 states, was interested in providing services to an underserved area of Toledo, Ohio, where the client’s headquarters resides. The building selected had been vacant for years, sitting on a corner just outside the Central Business District in a re-emerging urban neighborhood. Our client wanted to address the social determinants of health, with a focus on hunger and nutrition, and increase access to healthy food, delivering nutritional education, and providing job training opportunities.

The renovation of all four floors was completed in three phases. Although it would have been ideal to work on all four floors concurrently, the budget constraints on this donation-funded project, in addition to the fact each floor had its own separate and unique systems, required our team to exercise their agility by renovating one floor at a time. First came the Market on the Green—a 6,700 SF nonprofit grocery store that offers nutritional options for people in the neighborhood, formerly deemed a “food desert.” Located on the ground floor, the full-service grocery store also offers nutrition education for customers in an area that previously lacked accessibility to whole food providers. The second floor now offers financial services, training rooms, as well as a space for healthy cooking classes—complete with a commercial kitchen. The third floor is currently leased out to a tenant who hired 60 individuals from the neighborhood and has committed to creating more Toledo-based jobs in the future. The fourth and final floor is currently being utilized by ProMedica’s Population Health program.

The fourth floor is the capstone of the building and the Ebeid Institute initiative. The open workspace immediately welcomes visitors upon entering, offering a view from the top and a different perspective of their neighborhood. The three enclosing walls are perforated with multiple window openings, with an unadorned solid brick wall as the backdrop for mechanical room and multiple gathering spaces of varying size for clients to privately meet with their service providers. Along this row of meeting spaces is a dedicated nerve center intended to evolve into a data-gathering / data-sharing hub within a technology-rich environment. Here researchers and guests can obtain the latest information on Population Health and the social determinants. The glass-fronted room serves as a symbol of ProMedica’s vision to provide a gateway to a healthy community.

SSOE was involved in the renovation of all four floors, providing full architectural and engineering design services, including interior design, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection design, and data / fire / security services. Redeveloping a space that would bring multiple agencies together is not an easy feat. An adaptable, flexible design was needed to meet the conditions, the building reflected an open plan arrangement with larger spaces, which was also key for keeping visitors emotionally and physically engaged. Existing architecture was maintained on the 1925’s stone and brick building, with existing joists and beams exposed and many of the walls left uncovered to preserve the original aesthetic. Our knowledge of complex security design allowed us to make the building welcoming for visitors, yet secure for tenants.

Today, the ProMedica Ebeid Institute is a safe place for people to connect with neighbors and service providers—a place just for them. It also provides a much needed grocery store for the area. It brought social services to uptown and set the stage for other organizations to follow suit. This area now provides more social services than any other district in the area.

 

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DS Services is about complete beverage refreshment and convenience. They are more than a manufacturer and distributor of bottled water: A leading direct-to-consumer service provider to about 1.5 million home and office locations across the country, they offer America’s preferred coffee, tea, breakroom supply, and water filtration products.

Having grown both organically and through acquisitions, their physical environment took on a fragmented quality that challenged the way DS Services wanted to connect with their people and work processes. With the opportunity to build a new workplace and headquarters, they had a vision to transform their culture, streamline their work, feature their products and services, and position their company for the future.

On entry to the Division Headquarters, the product showroom, customer solutions, and training center are in full view and enticing.   Trainees begin the day at the large ”campfire” table for bagels, coffee, and team bonding. The adjacent large matrix AV screen serves to introduce the day’s agenda, the company, products, and services.

SSOE devised a new workplace that was open, transparent, and connected. A memorable expression of the organization’s dynamic brand begins on arrival at the elevator lobby with a refreshing wash of blue light and continues to be reflected in architectural elements and brand identity references throughout. Experienced upon arrival, their two floors are visually joined with a two-story reception space and open stairway. This space serves as access to adjacent collaborative areas as well as the open work / life lounge above. Central to the arrival experience, the reception space of this customer-centric workplace features hospitality –  showcasing the services, products, and brands of the business. This theme of refreshment and hospitality continues at strategic locations throughout the workplace.

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WestRock provides their business partners a competitive advantage with game-changing developments in paper making, packaging design, and retail solutions. Their focus is insight-driven innovation, providing value and solving their partners’ biggest challenges. Having recently become a global company through acquisition, WestRock made strategic decisions to position themselves for future growth and success.

SSOE crafted a transformational workplace to support WestRock’s passionate customer focus. Believing talent, shared expertise, and out-of-the box thinking drive value for their partners, the new workplace brings together over 1,000 people from three sites. This coming-together set the stage for new synergies, lots of energy, and enhanced idea sharing. Presence and welcome happen at the building lobby, with hospitality, product display, and an Innovation Center for customized client collaboration. The experience reflects the culture of the business, its people, and their focus on innovation.

SSOE ’s design concept evolved with an enhanced user experience at its heart. Nine floors of workplace are open, connected, and inclusive, featuring agile workspaces. A mix of settings recognize the diverse range of preferences and work styles, allowing individuals to “customize” their work experience. It makes for – “a place where we can optimize our ability to deliver for our customers.” Lots of glass, open and semi-open collaborative zones and an interconnecting stair energize the atmosphere, a visual buzz and hum. The comfortable central café is a gathering spot used throughout the day, offering refreshment, social interaction, gaming, and building community.

The workplace is an authentic representation of who and what WestRock stands for as an organization and reflects their shared purpose. The space is straight-forward, practical, not fussy nor pretentious. A natural palette of concrete, wood, and metal finishes celebrate the materiality of their products. The simple beauty and geometry of folded planes, layered, and textured surfaces are found in their products and inspire the design of the workplace plan and architecture. Display of their product is integrated into the design giving teams an opportunity to share current work and prompt dialogue throughout and serves as a connecting device within the multiple floors of the workplace.

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In the business of simplifying how people work and enhancing how people live, Alight partners globally with 3,000 clients, impacting the lives of 23 million people and their families. A leading provider of benefits administration and cloud-based human capital solutions, Alight combines data-driven, consumer-centered technology with a people-centric customer experience. Alight sought a new workplace to reflect their values: Enable people to do their best work – in a simpler way – a more connected way – a more insightful way.

SSOE facilitated a discovery process that was key to understanding the varied work styles needed to meet the common goal of a team-work environment that would enable people to do their best work and strive for excellence every day. SSOE’s strategic design solution led Alight to reimagine their workplace, embrace a dramatic shift in culture, and design for the future.

The transformational new space breaks down hierarchical barriers by eliminating private offices and providing neighborhoods of open team-based space. A variety of communal spaces with touch down tables, soft seating, and integrated technology support team work and provide social connection for employees. The open work place is more efficient and reflective of the culture – sparking new possibilities, interaction, and collaboration between teams. Multiple heads-down spaces ranging in privacy levels and size provide for focused work, when needed.

The finish palette is energizing – mirroring Alight’s brand and corporate identity. The architecture reiterates this approach, including playful ceiling soffits and branded recessed lighting. The result is an emotional connection of people to brand, culture, and clients.

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With an operational “go-live” in spring 2016, this is a young company. Born out of a program focusing on bottler process and data standards for a global beverage industry giant, CONA was created to pair powerful information technology skills with an equally strong understanding of their bottlers’ businesses.

“By the bottlers for the bottlers”. This team is transforming their industry, using technology and engaged customer collaboration, to drive change from “standardization” to “an innovation factory.” Growing and evolving, the group wanted a workplace that would “express a company identity that we own,” as well as engage and celebrate their bottlers and showcase their own deep IT expertise.

Expressing, “our defined culture is a work in progress” the client wanted a flexible, fun environment, emphasizing their connection with their clients. A place that would “help us get our work done” and “thrive for years to come.” They needed places for deep, meaningful, client collaboration as well as “labs” on site, to develop customized and innovative technology solutions. A “technology company,” at the leading edge of agile work processes, this nimble group frequently flexes in size, by potentially up to 50% with the addition of project specific contractors.

SSOE took an industrial, “bottling plant aesthetic” as inspiration to continuously reinforce this connection with their partners. Understanding the end game in everyone’s success is the people enjoying those beverages, we tapped into a theme of “where do you enjoy your drink?” We developed a design concept based on “neighborhoods” of work flow, creating diverse settings that enrich their people’s daily experience. Each neighborhood fosters their blossoming company identity and helps shape the emerging culture by integrating places that express their spirit and build community.

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This is a reboot for BrightWave : A combination of award winning work, innovative approaches to problem solving, and flat out crushing client success metrics are leading them to a higher caliber of client, spend, and employee. This leading e-mail and eCRM agency is “full steam ahead” in scaling the agency. BrightWave saw the need for a new workplace that would be an upgrade: A genuine, unique, elevated workplace that talks to employees and activates pride and cultural drive.

SSOE created a new workplace to work hard, establish new traditions, and have fun. These are spaces that encourage working together in a genuine, informal, and relaxed atmosphere that is “very chill”. Welcome and hospitality start at the front door with a space for: all-hands agency meetings supported with Apple TVs; catered lunch for all; entertainment events with hospitality for 50 to 60; wine and keg bar, self-help food and beverage service; and a variety of individual and booth seating which doubles as informal collaborative and individual work all day long.

BrightWave employees are typically millennials, 65% female, agile, ambitious, flexible, quick learners, and sophisticated experts. SSOE devised a variety of workspaces that engage this work culture: space for quiet thinking and spontaneous collaboration, individual heads down sit/stand workstations for flexible teams, stand up tables with big writable wall surfaces, and large Apple TVs to talk about their in-progress and showcase work.

A sense of fun infuses the space by referencing the nautical influence of the BrightWave brand: finishes and furniture selections subtly participate as well as a signal flag motif – conference and pitch rooms are named for mythical sea monsters. The brand in the space is the ambiance. The story telling and product is in screen content throughout the space.

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A global consulting firm, Russell Reynolds uses data and analytics, across industries and geographies, combined with expertise, to create the insights that prepare their clients for what’s next. An established entity, Russell Reynolds grew from conservative banking roots, but recent rebranding recognized “we’ve come so far from that.”

Russell Reynolds has evolved into an innovative, trusted advisory that delivers better results for clients, with a personal touch. The Atlanta team wanted a forward-looking workplace, reflecting the organization differentiators, while embracing this locality, it’s people and their preferences.

“We grow up our talent.” The Atlanta offices’ expertise includes technology, financial services, and executive recruitment. The nature of their work is primarily individual, focused, and confidential. Remote collaboration globally among colleagues – “more than the person next door,” connects resources and drives solutions. Working independently all day, they wanted an environment that intuitively fosters informal connectivity with their Atlanta colleagues, in relaxed and social settings. A dynamic group, the team wanted a visible energy and hum that expressed their attitude, even more important since their work is private and heads down.

SSOE’s design concept evokes a “Southern Modern” aesthetic that is both warm and sleek.  A centralized arrival, visually connected to adjacent collaborative settings and intersecting primary circulation, is welcoming, bright, and active. Introducing familiar “southern” details and materials, like shiplap and slate, reinterpreted with a modern take, we created a comfortable, but polished feel. Informal and familiar venues like the “front porch” and the “library”, occur throughout, creating “destination experiences,” encouraging people to work outside of their office at times. To build community and energy, we placed the “kitchen” at a prominent corner, overlooking the vibrant Midtown neighborhood, that people gather and circulate through all day. With 80% of their team in private offices, use of glass provides an environment that’s acoustically private but visual transparent. Focus + Connectivity + Community, Russell Reynolds’ new workplace captures the distinct elements of their success: high performance and high touch.

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The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for the ten county Atlanta region. With an opportunity to relocate their headquarters, The ARC sought a new, creative, and dynamic workplace that would invest in the organization, attract new talent, encourage an evolving culture, and reflect the forward thinking and innovative aspects of what they do.

SSOE responded to the challenge and devised a hip, creative, and forward-thinking, urban lab. A workplace that enables high performance and innovative problem solving, inspires forward-thinking collaboration, as well as creates a memorable encounter and experience. A space that allows people to visualize the ARC’s success and understand that” we are thought leaders…smart people with great data and ideas –  we make a difference.

Newly located in a downtown high-rise building, the workplace required multiple floors in the building’s tower, a street-level conference center- available to public and regional entities, and a street level reception lobby, giving brand presence and street-cred.

SSOE designed tower workplace floors featuring arrival zones or “main streets” which provides bicycle and locker storage, incidental meeting, and touch-down areas. Collaborative areas and work-life lounges are focal points at each end of the “main street”. Open work stations and collaborative areas are accessed from the arrival zone. Glass enclosed meeting and collaborative rooms flank the work stations. The workplace is collegial…like a university…agile…new and emerging …a regional resource. The new space has a minimal number of offices and provides an open work environment. Writable walls and integrated technology is present throughout – enabling brainstorm sessions, knowledge exchange, and collaborative solutions.

SSOE reinforces the concept of urban lab, with a visual image that is dynamic in it’s juxtaposition of refined and unfinished elements – reflecting the on-going work of the organization. The concept is further revealed with exposed steel columns, exposed-deck ceilings, suspended acoustical ceiling elements, and a sealed concrete floor. The workplace boasts an eclectic artful dimension in a variety of multiple area rugs in playful graphic patterns and the work of urban street artists featured on walls and sliding panels throughout the space.

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The Shopping Center Group (TSCG), headquartered in Atlanta, is a large, retail-only real estate company, with national reach, providing a full assortment of advisory services to tenants, landlords, developers, investors, and financial institutions. Real estate experts in an exciting and competitive industry, they love what they do and have fun doing it together. Growing and evolving, and in a market sector that “gets” experience, they wanted their workplace to be one, for their people.

TSCG recognizes their people and culture drive the company’s success. Renewing their lease, in a tower overlooking Atlanta’s new SunTrust stadium, where the Braves play, TSCG decided to renovate in place. A focused, informal, and fun team, their goal was an environment their people want to work and “play” together in, not only as colleagues but also as friends. SSOE’s design concept is inspired by the nature of their work: Retail is fun, social, therapeutic, interactive, entertaining, relaxing, cool, welcoming, attractive, business!

SSOE’s response to the client’s goals was to rethink how their space was allocated. Mobility, work processes and people’s current preferences being different seven years later, we identified ways to reinvent environment and attitude. Looking for optimal connection points at arrival and throughout the day, we focused on “high impact” opportunities to create a fresh, informal, and current vibe. A “branded” arrival brings together

Relaxed and varied get-together venues, refreshment, and a decidedly cool style, speak to TSCG’s culture. A new, spacious work-life lounge, with ping-pong, foosball and a swing, is their “’hang out” space where the team comes together to work, relax, and refresh. The workplace is a visual expression of who they are and what they do. Without a doubt they have fun doing it.

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When Rheem Manufacturing decided to co-locate several business units for the first time, the vision was a space that would celebrate and facilitate a new transformative culture. The new Rheem Water Division Headquarters enables more meaningful collaboration between employees and customers with real-time, hands-on demonstrations and problem solving, and an interactive showcase of the company’s forward-thinking and innovative new products.

SSOE’s design provided a dynamic workplace, training, and customer solution. It facilitates success in support of evolving product technology, user interface, customer demographic, brand, and company culture, which encourages down-stream acceptance of more sophisticated products and technologies. This interactive facility is a key tool in enabling Rheem’s evolution from an engineering-based product company to an end-user focused company — a company evolving from a wholesale to a retail strategy.

Products are physically displayed nearby on multiple “display platforms” for a unique hands-on introduction and instructional space. Hospitality bars flank the space for breakfast, snacks, and lunch service throughout the training day. Trainees experience a hands-on “live-fire” lab where products are taken apart and reassembled, and where trouble-shooting exercises can occur. A glass-enclosed training room completes the experience.

The new workplace provides more efficient and collaborative work processes that promote a transition from departmental to cross-functional teams. A sense of community is further supported with integrated come-together spaces.

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SSOE came on board to help Norfolk Southern reimagine their 12-story tower, located at the crossroads of Atlanta’s vibrant Midtown neighborhood. Their goal was a dynamic, employee-focused, workplace to engage their people and reflect their innovative, expressive, high-tech future. Norfolk Southern wanted to connect the office with field operations and it’s frontline
sense of urgency.

Norfolk Southern’s brand statement “One Line – Infinite Possibilities,” inspired our design of a unified workplace aligned with the company’s cultural and operational aspirations. Arrival at each floor opens to a high energy, colorful, and connected vibe, as “the line” tracks to communal, collaborative, and individual work zones.

A comfortable, collegial work-life lounge, conceived as “The Roundhouse,” anchors refreshment, informal gathering, and meeting rooms. An open ceiling, sleek pendant lighting and acoustical “box cars,” that hover at standup tables, form an active ceiling. A new take on a railway trellis, strong finish palette, and just a touch of safety yellow, combine in a lively way that brings the field into the office.

As a nod to their storied past, SSOE reinterpreted vintage photos from Norfolk Southern’s archives to create high-impact, artistic wall graphics. A holistic approach to wellness includes a fitness center, healthy food choices, ergonomic furniture, updated building mechanical systems and more. Diverse activity settings, increased collaborative seats, access to privacy, and leading-edge technology foster teamwork, workplace satisfaction, and productivity.

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Novelis’ goal for their project was clear: “We want a workplace that makes people feel, “I want to be a part of this.” SSOE delivered on this with an emphasis on connecting global resources, unifying culture, and leveraging expertise to bring together Novellis’ Global headquarters and North American headquarters in a new 125,000 SF workplace, at a premier Atlanta
address.

SSOE’s enduring partnership with Novelis began with this project, interpreting their vision into an evocative environment. We developed a holistic expression of their brand, positioning the company to attract the dynamic team they sought, locally and globally, to build an innovative, result-oriented culture. The “wow” factor begins at arrival, with a soaring volume, open, interconnecting stair, a hub of glass collaborative settings and sightlines into a glowing Customer Solution Center. The use of aluminum, a sleek, machined aesthetic, and abundant daylight are tangible expressions of the Novelis tagline: “Lighter, Brighter, Better”.

SSOE’s design concept encourages flow within the facility, offering unique “draw points” such as a centrally located community lounge with stocked snacks and game room. To promote a strong team culture, we focused on visual openness using lots of glass and flexible space allocations, allowing teams to reconfigure themselves. A mix of collaborative settings, all with integrated technology, link global colleagues seamlessly, reinforcing “a sense of being part of the whole, of something bigger.” The Novelis’ Global Leadership Center, that welcomes high-potential team members from around the world, is strategically located adjacent to the executive team, sending a clear message: there’s no “ivory tower.”

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The Coca-Cola Company’s commitment to innovation sparked the development of Coca-Cola Technology Plaza. Enabling their people to collaborate, create, and accelerate productivity through technology inspired this workplace. The client’s goal was to integrate the IT organizations of the Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Refreshments, bringing together over 2,000 people in 275,000 SF to enhance collaboration, share knowledge, and invent. The design team partnered with the client to explore and optimize IT-centric work styles, culture, and work processes. We worked with a broad group of internal stakeholders at both companies, including business unit leaders, HR, Marketing, Change Management and not least of all, IT.

SSOE managed the design and consultant team resources to deliver well-integrated solutions in an accelerated format, completing design and construction of the project in 12 months. A close to 50/50 split between FTE’s and contractors, combined with highly mobile and agile teams, resulted in the development of a free-address alternate workplace strategy. This design fosters their informal culture, full of spontaneous collaboration, intense periods of individual work, spirited engagement, comraderie, and refreshment. A variety of live-work lounges at arrival and prime circulation points connect people. Interaction happens in open benching zones, as well as semi-private “pagodas” that bridge to fully enclosed work settings. This diversity of spaces was essential to optimizing how their people work, giving individuals and teams a choice of tools and environment. The design team interpreted the iconic Coca- Cola brand in ways that infuse energy, tap into the magic of Coca-Cola, and make you smile.

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A New Life Design Program

Supporting Bowling Green State University’s strategic plan, the Life Design program will occupy the majority of the existing Math & Science Building, built circa 1967 and located on a prominent site in the heart of campus. Project scope/objectives includes, creating a dynamic, collaborative, and functional home for the new Life Design program; developing a refreshed south façade and second floor entrance experience that promotes new and existing functions within the Math and Science Building; and creating a new exterior plaza at the building entrance.

A Highly Inclusive And Collaborative Project Process

SSOE is utilizing a highly inclusive and collaborative project process. By forging strong partnerships with University stakeholders, the new design will address the drivers at the heart of the project’s goals, mission, and objectives. In doing so, the team will be able to creatively capitalize on what’s possible, and thereby achieve a meaningful solution that will inspire stakeholder and student success. Life Design is a differentiator for Bowling Green State University; the program starts by teaching their students to design their college experience and then they provide them with the tools to design their life. The interior layout and modifications to the building’s exterior will support this unique mission.

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Master Planning

SSOE was selected by the City of Decatur to provide design services for renovations and additions to the Decatur Public Works Facility. Two adjacent properties will be master planned to provide expanded space for the various public works departments, as well as consolidating two other city departments: City Schools of Decatur facilities and grounds maintenance; and the planning, zoning and engineering departments.

Schematic Design

We are providing architectural, engineering, and interior design services including site analysis and schematic design, design development, construction documents, and bid assistance. The existing 15,000 SF facility will be completely renovated with all new systems, finishes, furniture, and equipment, and will include an additional 15,000 SF of new construction.

Facade Enhancements

The city also purchased two adjacent parcels for additional space to be used for maintenance equipment storage. The design contemplates a new exterior facade compatible with the evolving, mixed-use neighborhood. The project incorporates the City of Decatur design guidelines for streetscape and pedestrian street enhancements. The new facility is now LEED certified.

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Prominent Space

In support of Lanier Technical College’s mission to serve as the foremost workforce development resource in northeast Georgia the new Ramsey Conference Center fosters community engagement, enhances the student life experience on campus, and houses the Hospitality Services and Culinary Arts educational programs. The Conference Center is intended to provide much-needed exposition, conferencing, meeting, and performance space for the regional community.

Utilizing a prominent location on campus the highly efficient facility commands spectacular views of the campus, the adjacent Ramsey Lake, and surrounding foothills of the north Gainesville area. Great care was taken to align building entrances, outdoor terraces, and windows to take advantage of these views.

Venue Highlights

The building layout includes the campus bookstore accessible to students, faculty, staff, and the visiting public. The primary meeting venue is a large ballroom that is sub-dividable into up to eight (8) smaller meeting rooms. This room can support banquets of over 740 seats or lectures of up to 920 seats and is serviceable by a perimeter service corridor linking the room directly to storage, support, and the catering kitchen. Culinary Arts is supported by a large culinary arts lab and adjacent catering kitchen. The facility also includes two class / breakout rooms, a large lounge with outdoor terrace, large lobby and pre-function spaces, and a hospitality management office suite.

Pond (prime design professional), in association with SSOE, was selected to provide professional design services for the college’s new Gainesville campus. SSOE supported the overall design team by leading the Programming effort for the entire campus, leading the interior design and furnishing, fixture, and equipment (FF&E) efforts for the entire campus, and providing overall design team project management. SSOE also provided full architecture and engineering design services as Architect of Record for the Breeden-Giles Hall Administration Building, the Chris Riley Instructional Building, and the Wilbur and Dixie Ramsey Conference Center.

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A New Headquarters

The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) constructed a new Headquarters Building on their existing property at 201 Pryor Street. The facility includes a new office building, the renovation of the existing headquarters building (originally built in the early 1900s and expanded in 1987), a new 150-space parking deck, and the creation of outdoor courtyard / collaboration spaces. The new facility faces both Trinity Avenue and Pryor Street and includes a new front door located off of Pryor Street.

Four Stories High With A New Parking Deck

The building is four stories tall with a connector to the existing building with connections at two levels. The building also shares an elevator and stair with a new parking deck which replaces their existing surface parking lot and consolidates all parking needs into their facility. The building also includes an exterior fourth-floor terrace with views of the Capitol building.

Building Accents

The parking deck is five levels with connections to the building at one, four, and five that corresponds to building levels one, two, and four. The building’s façade is red modular brick with large storefront windows on the ground level with precast arched headers. On the upper levels, punched windows have architectural precast headers, sills, and bands. The two-level connector is primarily a glazed wall system with a precast base and sill. The parking deck also has a red modular brick façade facing the street with active use office storefront openings on Level 1 and aluminum framed openings on the upper parking levels.

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Working Together

Working in concert with the City of Sumter’s Economic Development Board, the design team provided complete architectural, engineering, and interior design services on the renovation and additions to the new, contemporary, two-story facility.

Growing Central Business District

Located in the downtown proper of Sumter’s growing Central Business District, the facility includes work and office space for the Board’s staff and Director, as well as reception and event spaces, two state-of-the-art boardrooms, and a large conference room. The new building is bounded by E. Liberty, S. Main, Caldwell, and S. Harvin Streets, with the existing building located on a neighboring site, adjacent to the proposed new space.

Sustainable Design

Renovations to the facilities existing structure houses additional event space, a complete catering kitchen, and temporary office suites for newly relocated businesses. In addition to the proposed additions and renovations, the new building features a number of sustainable design elements that include geothermal mechanical systems, creative placemaking, and pending LEED certification.

Furthering The Mission

Originally founded in 1957 by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Sumter Economic Development Board began operating independently in the mid-1990s as the leading economic development organization for those residing within Sumter County. Funded through a Public-Private-Partnership that includes Sumter County Government, the City of Sumter, and the Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative, the Board’s new building will help further the organization’s mission to increase jobs and capital investment coming into the area.

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Addressing On-Campus Growth

The 176,026 SF student recreation and activities center was expanded and renovated to accommodate Kennesaw State University’s enrollment growth to 20,000 students. The center was completed as a phased construction project, arranged to keep the existing facility operational throughout the 18-month construction cycle.

Two-Story Fitness Atrium

The center was expanded to create a 300-foot long, two-story fitness atrium including free weight, cardio, fitness, group exercise areas, and new locker rooms.

New Facility Features

New facility features include four court gyms with looping jogging tracks around the upper level of the gym, a two-story climbing wall, an indoor lap pool, and a bike shop with a convenient equipment checkout area. In addition, the exterior recreation area includes sand volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, and an outdoor leisure pool.

The new student recreation & activities center, which is certified LEED Silver, was a collaboration with Cooper Carry, Architect of Record, and Hardin Construction Company, the Design-Build project lead. Our firm provided interior design and engineering services.

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Seventh Floor Renovation

SSOE worked hand-in-hand with the Owner, Great Southern Management, to renovate the seventh floor of the TD Bank Building (former Carolina First Building). Located on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Columbia’s Business District, the design team utilized a more open office concept – one that would foster interactivity and encourage teamwork.

Varying Work Environments

Challenged to reduce the overall square footage per employee by more than 20 percent, a departure from the more traditional design style commonly associated with architecture, engineering, and interior design firms, the team was able to creatively incorporate work areas of varying styles; allowing staff to interact in an environment better suited for collaboration.

Space Efficient Floor Plan

Originally renovated by our firm in the late 1990s, the TD Bank Building, a former Belk’s Department Store, is a seven-story “Class A” speculative office building with a garden-level terrace, hardscaped plaza, and spacious main lobby area. Designed using a space-efficient floor plan which utilized the building’s existing column locations, this recently completed tenant upfit features open office areas, private meeting rooms, conference rooms, and a flexible, work / life collaboration lounge.

Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC’s Business District, the design team utilized a more open office concept, one known to foster collaboration and encourage teamwork.

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Longstanding Relationship

Over the past 20 years, SSOE has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with Newton Medical center by responding to their needs with architectural, engineering, and interior design solutions.

Maintaining Top-Level Care

Our renovations and additions have enabled the doctors and staff to provide their patients with the top level of care.

Numerous Projects

Over the years, the SSOE design team has worked on the following additions, renovations, and new construction projects: Birthcare Department Renovation; Imaging Renovations; On-Call Engineering Services; Nursery Renovations; Medical Office Building Tenant Expansion; Third Floor Lab Addition; Fourth Floor Patient Tower; Nurses’ Station; HVAC Modifications; Knox Surgical Center Addition; Women’s Diagnostic Center; Physician’s Pavilion; and Emergency Services Expansion.

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Creating A Contemporary New Building

SSOE was selected to provide a campus evaluation, and building and interior design for McKenney’s Mechanical Contractors’ existing site.

The existing building was a 1960s office warehouse building that had been added onto over the years as the size of the company grew. During that time, a more contemporary three-story building was built to the east, while both buildings were connected to the existing large shop building to the north.

Creating A Better Work Environment

The goal was to renovate the existing building to create a campus feel alongside the pre-existing three-story building and adjacent shop building. In addition, the design team was tasked with bringing the building up to code, as the work previously completed spanned a number of years. Lastly, and most importantly, the company knew they needed to change their work environment to hire and retain great people in order to better address the needs of a changing workforce.

The desire was for the building to be more open, with views to the exterior from all work areas, while storage and support areas moved to the center of the building. The team successfully addressed this by removing several of the exterior tilt-up concrete panels in order to open the building to the exterior while taking advantage of several existing skylights that opened the building between floors.

Encouraging Collaboration

Working closely with the Owner to select sit / stand units for all employees, each of the new collaboration areas, as well as the open break spaces, are only a few of the examples of space planning, and furniture selections that the team provided. The challenge in many of these areas was the low floor-to-floor heights available. In order to address these specific challenges, the SSOE team created an open environment by eliminating ceilings and using light to create a feeling of height.

The lobby was resized to provide a comfortable space for groups that travel to the building for training. The number and location of meeting rooms was an important consideration, as was the number of enclosed offices, which were reduced and located so as not to block any daylight access. An executive suite with a new board room was established in an area that would provide a high ceiling for a spacious feel.

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New Regional Career Center in the Heart of Downtown North Charleston

SSOE, in association with Red Iron Architects, was selected by Charleston County School District to design their new 90,000 SF Center for Advanced Studies. The facility, located in the downtown area of North Charleston, South Carolina, is one of three regional career centers in the district. Students can now attend the center during the day to enhance their skills in the fields of architecture and construction, manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics, the arts, audiovisual technology and communications, health sciences, STEM, and information technology. The facility is designed to accommodate programs that align with immediate employment opportunities, the state’s technical school programs, and four-year university programs as well. Our team received a Building Design+Construction (BD+C) Building Team Award for our design of this unique interactive learning facility, receiving high marks for our community involvement and collaboration.

State-of-the-Art Research Labs, Studios, and Classrooms

The full architectural and engineering scope of services included planning and programming, assistance in the development of education specifications, spearheading community and local business / industry engagement, as well as architecture, interiors, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering. Specialized spaces include high-bay facilities for HVAC; automotive collision repair; mechatronics; electronics and building construction; and labs for biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, computer repair, and “Project Lead the Way.”

Additional spaces within this new building include state-of-the-art research labs / studios, a technology hub, flexible classrooms, an administrative suite, maker spaces, a large two-story exhibition space, 150-seat lecture hall, nursing suite, the district’s audiovisual department, career guidance area, cafe, and more.

The new Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies has a strong connection with the community, providing a space for local business and industry partners to not only teach but lead by example. SSOE worked with woman-owned business and Charleston-based architectural firm Red Iron Architects, civil engineering firm Hussey Gay Bell, and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection firm Owens & Associates.

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Full Scale Renovation

The Gavin Engineering Research Laboratory (G.E.R.L.) is a full-scale renovation of the 1930’s era Textile Engineering Facility at Auburn University. Services provided by SSOE include programming, lab planning, interior design, historic preservation, as well as complete architectural and engineering design services.

Top Tier Research Activities

The renovation prepares the building for a variety of research activities for the College of Engineering including much-needed surge space for new faculty and special projects. Building highlights now include Polymers and Composites Research, Additive Manufacturing Research, Nuclear Power Generating Systems, research support labs, meeting spaces, graduate and postdoc offices, and interaction spaces.

An Inspiring New Mission

SSOE’s mission for G.E.R.L. is to create inspirational spaces that showcase the latest technologies and foster a process of discovery, all while allowing a much-loved building to evolve with the momentum of the university’s growing research community.

The renovation prepares the building for a variety of research activities for the College of Engineering and includes much-needed surge space for new faculty and special projects. We also worked with HERA, who served as the lab planner on this project.

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Creating a facility poised from the start to attract talent and produce workers with relevant skillsets now and into the future is the goal of Henry Ford College (HFC) with their expanded Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute / Technology Building. HFC worked with SSOE to create spaces that fuel innovation and entrepreneurship. The Student Commons, a destination space, links the existing spaces to new. The inspiring design allows students informal areas for networking, collaborating, and impromptu learning. The renovation includes spaces for teaming, hands-on learning, and fostering the spirit of “out of the box thinking.”

The project includes the renovation of existing classrooms and lab spaces as well as the addition of 24,000 SF of new space in the Technology Building. Upgrades will include structure, envelope, interior finishes, HVAC, lighting, electrical, and plumbing. This project will allow for continued renovations initiated in 2015 and has a total estimated budget of $14.9 million.

HFC’s 24,000 SF addition will create multi-disciplinary labs, including a new Makerspace / Innovation Hub, automotive labs, as well as the Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Center needed to support changing programs and curricula, the regional demand for workforce training, and business and industry partnership initiatives.

This new construction will also improve building and program access and internal circulation, while addressing the lack of breakout / collaborative workspaces critical for student success. Lastly, the addition will house a new campus Energy Plant to support the college’s goal of a Net Zero campus. SSOE will work closely with HFC’s energy partners, Johnson Controls and Garforth International, to integrate the College’s $23.1 million Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) into this project.

Several of the programs and physical spaces that will be positively impacted by this project include the Transportation / Automotive Technology Program, the HFC Fabrication Lab, Product Development Center (“Makerspace”), Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Center, HFC Advanced Manufacturing Early College, and improved learning spaces in the Technology Building. These upgrades continue to reinforce HFC’s mission of transforming lives and building better futures by providing outstanding education.

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Meetings with GJM and the design team defined the requirements for the new plan for the office layout. This plan became a refection of the GJM brand and mission, one that is focused on clients and employees. There was a strong desire to modernize the existing Eaton (LaValley) Building façade and entries, and tie it to an architectural design in line with GJM values. The entry and lobby design was transformed into a welcoming and modern space with a two-story skylight. Spaces included a new reception desk, visitor conference rooms, and board room. A new angled glass façade on the east side allowed for daylight throughout the space, creating an open and inviting environment.

Corridors were placed on an axis with one connecting corridor parallel to the east glass façade to link the work spaces. Shared spaces along this corridor included collaboration spaces, wellness room, the Learning Center, break area, assembly room, and access to lobby spaces. Large open glass garage doors connected the Learning Center to the Collaboration Café, offering space for employees to meet with a connection to the outside patio area. Spaces were fully integrated with technology, connecting GJM virtually to other office locations and clients. The flexible wellness room provided a space for employees to escape, relax, and recharge before returning to their tasks.

The design included offices placed internally within the floor plan allowing workstations and collaboration spaces placed along the exterior to take advantage of windows and daylight. The continued connection to nature and natural daylight promoted employee well-being and added physical comforts to the space. The interior finishes and contemporary color scheme thoughtfully reinforced the architecture of the space and provided a backdrop for client branding.

“We are thrilled with the design of our new office space. It is modern, practical, creative and flexible. It will suit our needs for years to come. SSOE’s collaboration with our building committee was a true partnership. Heather was responsive and innovative in working with us and transformed a tired building that had been vacant for years into a world class show piece we are truly proud of.”

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SSOE’s complete steel prefab structural building drawing ultimately saved La-Z-Boy over $500,000.

La-Z-Boy desired a research and development center that reflected the importance of innovation and technology to their company. Their vision was to create a new state-of-the-art R&D facility with larger, modern work spaces that would aid in improving staff recruiting and retention.

The SSOE team, with construction manager Rudolph Libbe, worked closely with La-Z-Boy on this design / build project, utilizing 3D modeling reviews to communicate clearly with the client’s project team to assure they fully visualized the design concepts. This allowed the client to understand the design at each phase and see how their design requirements were being incorporated. The final design included a combination of a 50,000 SF pre-engineered research building and a 20,000 SF conventional building designed with flexibility for the office spaces.

The research / testing area includes shops, wood working, and engineering spaces. The office space has an open floor plan incorporating the flexible workplace strategy, with only one walled office for the vice president. This floor plan, along with the café and outdoor seating areas, follow La-Z-Boy’s overall strategy to have office neighborhoods where people aren’t tied to the same work space on a daily basis, providing employees with a choice of where to work. There are also movable furnishings with electrical outlets located throughout for device charging.

The Innovation Center’s corridor is lined with windows that provide a view into the research and engineering brainstorming “garages” where they refine pieces of furniture and collaborate on design innovations. SSOE’s engineering team designed a special dust collection system used in the facility.

SSOE was pleased to offer architecture, MEP and structural engineering, dust collection, data / fire / security design, steel detailing, and interior design services for this facility that met the client’s goal and vision for a modern and flexible workplace for their employees.

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SSOE was selected to provide architectural and engineering design services for the new Michigan Statewide Carpenters and Millwrights Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center located in Detroit.

The new facility is used to provide instruction to Detroit area carpenter and millwright apprentices and journeymen, and is able to train 150 – 200 students at a time. The facility houses the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters offices and Local Union Representative offices. The project was completed in 2022.

The training center is a two-story building with steel frame and metal panel envelope for the training areas and showcases materials and finishes performed by the carpenters and millwrights in the main entry and public areas. This new 130,000 SF (approximately) facility consists of mixed use space including office and administration areas, a multi-purpose room for career and vendor fairs (7,000 SF), classrooms for instructional use, two high bay work areas for hands-on learning (50,000 SF and 10,000 SF), welding lab (with self-contained filtration / ventilation system), bridge crane, council area / offices, (approximately 14,000 SF), and building support areas.

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Direction Credit Union selected SSOE as their A/E firm to assist with the design of a new headquarters location in downtown Toledo. Working closely with JLL and SSOE for site selection, Directions chose to move their headquarters in to the Tower on the Maumee, a building on the Ohio Historical Registry. This move involved merging two existing suburban office locations into the headquarters on the 15th, 16th, and 17th floors in the newly redeveloped Tower.

The Direction leadership team’s vision was for a cultural change and creation of a more open and collaborative workplace. The space was planned to create multiple teaming, conference, and collaboration zones, with the elimination of most private offices. They desired spaces that would respond to changing workforce demographics, and one that would allow them to continue to be innovators within their industry. We worked closely with the furniture / change manager, providing employees options and personal choices in their areas, such as varied work spaces, adjustable height work surfaces, adjustable computer monitor arms, personalized user tools, and various types of furnishings to support different employee work and conferencing styles.

The headquarters design includes the renovation of three floor plates. Design features include 360 degree views of downtown, multiple team and collaboration spaces, two work cafés, and a large multi-use boardroom. The interior color scheme reinforces Direction’s branding and interior vision for their new space. This new, cutting edge workplace has the latest technology, wi-fi, and plug and play flexibility for employees and visitors to access. The new Direction’s Credit Union Headquarters will become a workplace destination with an atmosphere of high energy, excitement, and amenities that attracts and retains employees.

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SSOE worked with Youngstown State University for the creation of a living / learning R&D Excellence Training Center (ETC) that serves as an advanced manufacturing education, workforce training facility, and incubator factory. It houses a welding, machining CNC, automation and fluids training labs, high-bay workspace, metals and 3D printing, secure group project space, classrooms, and a workroom space. The ETC opened in Fall 2021 and houses approximately $5.5 million worth of advanced manufacturing equipment. The development of the ETC required the renovation of an existing building and addition to the facility on a downtown campus while maintaining project specific and ITAR security regulations.

SSOE worked with YSU faculty and staff, MVICC members, and Eastern Gateway Community College to develop detailed bid documents for repairs, renovation, and new construction. The project site is located both on the edge of YSU’s campus and in Youngstown’s downtown area. This location provides access to the varied groups that will utilize the facility including Youngstown’s downtown community. The building’s architecture takes inspiration from the existing urban context and neighboring campus buildings to create a common aesthetic statement. This project is also partially funded with an EDA Grant, for which SSOE provided the necessary documents. SSOE’s design also included provisions and concepts for future expansion(s) to the facility, as this is Phase I of a multi-Phase 100,000+ SF master plan created as part of the project’s planning and design.

Utilization of our significant manufacturing industry experience allowed our design team to lead the YSU design committee through the design process by helping them create a real-life simulated advanced manufacturing environment. We were able to utilize our knowledge of plant and process design and apply it into the manufacturing educational design, which will ultimately allow students to be completely prepared to enter real manufacturing environments upon program completion.

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Northwest State Community College selected SSOE as the preferred design team to complete the renovations to “C” Building on its main campus. The project encompassed the complete renovation of a two-story building and adding a new addition, which included all student services departments: admissions, registrar, dean’s offices, student services, financial aid office, copy center, and business office; plus relocation of the fitness area, and renovations of the student cafeteria and kitchen.

With an expedited project schedule, SSOE was asked to create an overall project schedule that incorporated department moves and construction phases to minimize impact on operations. The process included creating a logical and orderly relocation of the departments involved, and creating a construction schedule that will complete the project on time, while adjacent areas are being occupied or in use.

The following items are included in the renovation:

  • Relocation of the fitness center, locker rooms, and restrooms
  • Building code upgrades, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, ADA, fire protection, and fire alarm systems
  • Technology upgrades
  • Office renovations and re-location of offices
  • Construction of new two-story addition to house the University Center and conference rooms (approximately 1500 SF)
  • Exterior window replacement
  • New student cafeteria and kitchen
  • Copy center relocation
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SSOE’s design team was selected to assist with Northwest State Community College’s (NSCC) plans to expand their Engineering and Workforce Development departments.

SSOE’s extensive experience with higher education, as well as manufacturing and industrial design, was key in designing NSCC’s Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, which must meet tomorrow’s industry standards and promote recruitment and retention.

To achieve NSCC’s goals and obtain a successful program, the design incorporated high-tech learning environments that are flexible and user-friendly, as well as welcoming, with low-maintenance finishes.

The project consists of the interior renovation and reconfiguration of two existing floors for the new workforce development program. A new 16,000 SF academic and engineering laboratory addition for the School of Engineering will also be designed. Upgrades include new classrooms, department offices, conference rooms, student collaboration and lounge areas, computer laboratories, plastics laboratory, engineering and distance learning laboratories, as well as a large 10,000 SF workforce training and robotics laboratory.

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When Owens Community College embarked on a project to complete major interior renovations within Heritage Hall, it selected SSOE as the A/E firm of choice.

SSOE provided full design and construction administration for the project, which transformed 35,500 SF of abandoned high-bay automotive space into a state-of-the-art academic instructional area. Prior to the renovation, the abandoned area sat empty for nearly 10 years. Upon completion of construction, the renovated space now supports the College’s School of Business.

SSOE’s design for the new academic area takes advantage of the building’s high-bay windows, higher ceilings, and large spaces to create bright and sustainable learning and technology environments. All of the building’s exterior windows were replaced with new, more energy efficient models. The design features technologically-advanced and flexible classrooms, conference rooms, and collaboration areas. Student lounge and seating areas are provided throughout, along with interactive corridors, a medical laboratory, and offices.

SSOE’s welcoming and user-friendly design incorporates the College’s standards and program of requirements. The design also addresses all low voltage requirements, HVAC, and electrical upgrades for the building.

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SSOE provided architectural, interior design, and engineering services to support construction of a new 15,000 SF Welcome and Training Center for Transportation Research Center (TRC), the largest independent vehicle test facility and proving grounds in the U.S.

As the gateway to the TRC campus, the facility is the main welcome and access control point to the campus. The center includes informal and formal collaboration areas, conference rooms, project lab space, and office space for three user groups: TRC security, the Regional Plan Commission, and the Ohio State University (OSU) distance learning program, which supports academic liaison efforts via teaching and research.

Designed to accommodate meetings of all sizes, the welcome center includes small gathering spaces, distance learning facilities, and, for seminars and presentations, a large meeting room featuring state-of-the-art AV technology and space for presentation vehicles. Within the OSU distance learning area, the space is flexible and reconfigurable for project and team needs. The design of the space allows for both team based work and lecture based presentations. Height adjustable tables with plug and play power allows for the space to be one level, verses a tiered layout. Interior design highlights include some areas with exposed ceilings with acoustical clouds, the lobby ceiling is designed with metal longboard, patterned with wood, to add warmth to the area, custom casework design, and sealed concrete flooring.

Budget, visual appeal, and functionality were top design concerns for this client. SSOE incorporated a strong graphical approach, both inside and out, for an attractive, modern, cost-conscious design. Exterior design resulted in a brick and metal façade with a welcoming entry and a strong daylight component.

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SSOE is providing architectural and engineering services to the Veterans Administration (VA) Ann Arbor Health Care System for design of a new Clinical and Administrative Building replacing the existing 1949 Building 4. The new 3-story building was designed to blend with the existing campus architecture and meet all federal VA standards. The structure will house the employee health, human resources, business office, prosthetics, and finance departments.

Services provided by SSOE include: civil, structural, architectural, interior design, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, information technology, and fire protection. Programming was completed with VA engineering and end users to determine how the new facility will meet all department requirements. Shared spaces include conference rooms, a large employee break room, and lobby spaces. The new structure provides for natural light penetrating the open floor plan, a visual interior with large expanses of exterior glazing, and a banded brick exterior to accentuate the horizontal lines of the structure. SSOE’s project scope included an asbestos survey, lead assessment, and examination of the existing site prior to demolition.

SSOE provided all site work, utility connections, communication wiring and connections, as well as handled any disruptions to the existing systems for the new structure. Existing utilities and connections on campus were field investigated for re-use and connection with the new building. Other items considered in the building design were personnel approaches, sidewalks, green areas, visual impacts, parking impacts, and landscaping.

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Covenant Healthcare System selected the SSOE interior design team to develop a new Master Interior Standards for their Saginaw and other Michigan locations. The team started their process by evaluating current facilities, conducting interviews of staff and administrators to see what was currently working and not working. We worked with a patient and family peer group, guiding them from their perspective to give feedback on colors, concepts and schemes. Our interior designers used the gathered information combined with their expertise to develop and present three complete interior design concepts for selection.

The design inspiration that was selected by Covenant was “Life – Richness and Beauty”, which included elements of nature and nature images. This concept consists of five color schemes with an updated neutral core color palette, including multiple material options for Covenant to use throughout their healthcare system. The design also included incorporation of branding. SSOE’s interior design team worked with the client to carefully evaluate materials and finishes based on functionality, cost, patient safety, and maintenance. We also incorporated feature walls and lighting elements that align with client’s vision and branding.

SSOE developed a Furnishing Standards package that will be implemented along side renovation projects to ensure a cohesive image consistent with Covenant vision and patient expectation.

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Rightsizing the overall square footage of the building, plus a lean delivery method, resulted in savings of approximately $900,000 in contingencies.

SSOE was selected to assist Bowling Green State University and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office / Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for the design of a new 28,330 SF structure to house BCI’s regional offices, operations, and criminal labs in Northwest Ohio.

Included in the scope of the project was the design of administration and investigation offices, firing range, forensic labs, evidence storage space, public access seminar and conference rooms, security and surveillance, A/V design, redundant electrical and HVAC systems, site amenities, and parking. MWL Design Group teamed with SSOE for this project, providing the forensic design expertise essential for BCI operations and activities.

SSOE was able to provide all design services in-house, with a single point of contact for the client. Services provided include: architectural, interior design, structural, landscape architecture, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design. Additionally, SSOE provided specialty design services that included: access control, IT / technology, A/V, and security. Lean project delivery principles were also utilized throughout the process, including collaboration with the construction manager from the onset of the project. The project was completed on schedule, below budget, and earned LEED® Silver Certification.

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Owens Community College selected SSOE to perform design and construction administration new Culinary Arts Center, located at the Toledo-area campus. SSOE scope of services included engineering, interior design, security / access control, and IT / technology design services. SSOE worked closely with Owens’ administration to meet an expedited design and construction schedule. Design was completed using a 100% BIM platform, with 3D sections and details used throughout the design process to aid shareholders in envisioning and understanding the design intent and layout of the space.

The project included the renovation of an existing, 14,000 SF vacant space. The new Culinary Center offers three unique laboratories – Culinary Skills, Restaurant Skills, and Food Science and Baking. The Culinary Skills Laboratory incorporates the latest cooking equipment and devices, allowing students to practice technical skills. The Restaurant Skills Laboratory simulates what students would find in the industry, including a beverage wait station and expediting cooking stations. The Food Science and Baking Laboratory is equipped with heat and humidity controls to allow students to learn advanced pastry skills. In addition the space also hosts a large dining area for holding lunches and special events, providing students with real-world experience in creating menus, preparing and plating food, and serving. A demonstration station, complete with cameras and television screens and a new outdoor gathering area were also added to provide additional functionality for special events.

Renovations to the center included state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrades, such as new access-control door hardware and additional security and monitoring equipment.

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Addressing The Court’s Growth

Originally built in the early 1920’s and renovated in 1971, this former post office had become less efficient as a result of the growth of the court. Additionally, the building’s interior finishes, which evidenced more than 20 years of wear, were significantly out of date and needed to include upgrades that better reflected the nature of the state’s developing court system.

Capturing Additional Space With New Floor Plan

Renovated to capture additional square footage without adding on to the building’s original core, the building’s new floor plan is a marked contrast to the disparate groupings of the previous layout. The upper floors are divided into suites for the Justices with adjacent offices for their clerks and secretaries. By reducing the size of the first and second floor offices, our design team was also able to add an additional 13 offices.

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