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Haworth commissioned a major renovation and addition project at its headquarters in Holland, Michigan in an effort to responsibly reuse its existing headquarters office building and combine new and renovated office spaces to achieve a more interactive environment for clients and staff.
The project is attached to Haworth's assembly plant where furniture and interior products are manufactured. The overarching goal of the project was to reuse as much as possible of the existing structure and to expand the overall capacity in an environmentally responsible manner. The solution removes the existing precast concrete façade and adds a sloping green roof onto the north side of the existing structure to create a linear 3-storey space which connects the floors of the existing offices and provides more space for client engagement.
A south-facing clerestory and a north-facing three-storey triple-glazed curtain-wall introduces natural light and opens up views from the interior to a new sustainable landscape and a large exterior meeting space. The roof slopes down to engage this landscape and encloses the paved area.
The basic structure of the existing office space was maintained and a new under-floor air system was layered over the top of it to increase energy efficiency by 30% and allow for flexibility and higher ceiling heights to maximize natural light penetration. The entire facility acts as a product demonstration lab for visitors, while also providing for client engagement and mock-up areas. A three-storey reclaimed timber wall at the entry symbolizes a commitment to sustainable principles in the manufacturing process. This element constructed of oak veneer from wood that was submerged in the waters of the Great Lakes during logging in the 1800s, serves as a backdrop for the visitor amenities.