DEARBORN — Ford Motor Co. announced a reconstruction plan of its Dearborn headquarters campus that will eventually consolidate 30,000 employees from the current 70 buildings into two major locations, a product campus and a world headquarters campus.
The automaker said most of its Dearborn properties have not seen significant rehabilitation in 60 years.
Construction is to begin May 1 on the new product campus location, including new Design Center at the Ford Research and Engineering Center. It is to be a walkable community with paths, trails and covered walkways as well as autonomous vehicles, on-demand shuttles, eBikes, employee services, high-speed internet and more green spaces.
The automaker says the new buildings will reduce energy use by about 50 percent, save water and include the new zero-waste, zero-energy, zero-water Sustainability Showcase building.
More than 7.5 million square feet of work space will be rebuilt and upgraded.
A second campus location – around the current Ford World Headquarters building – will feature a new Ford Credit facility and provide onsite employee services, improved connectivity and enhanced accessibility to the expansive green space that surrounds the building.
“As we transition to an auto and a mobility company, we’re investing in our people and the tools they use to deliver our vision,” said Ford President and CEO Mark Fields. “Bringing our teams together in an open, collaborative environment will make our employees’ lives better, speed decision-making and deliver results for both our core and emerging businesses.”
The majority of work on the product campus is expected to be complete by 2023. Major work on the second campus around Ford World Headquarters begins in 2021 and is expected to be complete in 2026.
Product Campus
The current Ford Research and Engineering Center Campus – dedicated by U.S. President Eisenhower in May 1953 – currently houses 12,000 employees. It is being transformed into a contemporary, innovative work environment to accommodate 24,000 employees in 4.5 million square feet of upgraded work space.
Key features will include:
* New connected facilities that will feature the latest wired and wireless hardware designed to last many years
* Work spaces that foster collaboration and spark innovation
* A central green area that will link buildings with walking trails, bike paths and covered walkways
* Energy-saving sustainable technologies, including geothermal heating and cooling
* Water-saving technologies, such as rainwater capture and automated metering
The campus also will serve as a pilot location for Ford Smart Mobility solutions, including autonomous vehicles, on-demand shuttles and eBikes to transport employees.
The all-new, more-than-700,000-square-foot Design Center will be the focal point of the campus and include new studios and an outdoor design courtyard. The historic 14,000-square-foot Ford Design Showroom will remain and will be upgraded to be used as an event venue.
Ford World Headquarters Campus
The current Ford World Headquarters building was dedicated in 1956 and reflects leading architecture of that time. When campus renovation begins in 2021, care will be taken to retain the iconic image of the building while providing both exterior and interior enhancements.
The new campus will include:
* More than 1.3 million square feet of reworked space
* A new Ford Credit building connected to World Headquarters, forming a more cohesive, employee-friendly campus
* Improved connectivity, walkways, covered parking decks and outdoor recreation facilities, including softball and soccer fields
* Enhanced green spaces with planted areas, native species and tree canopy, including the renewal of the Arjay Miller Arboretum started in 1960.
Ford’s commitment to sustainability and innovation will be integrated throughout the project. This includes a new Sustainability Showcase building on the product campus, which will produce more energy than it consumes.
The new Sustainability Showcase aims to meet Living Building Challenge standards, the highest level of sustainability possible today. The net zero-waste, net zero-energy, net zero-water facility will include geothermal heating and cooling and solar power.
Throughout the two campuses, increased building insulation, new glazing systems, new lighting and daylighting, and heat recovery will cut energy use by about half. Potable water use will be significantly reduced through advanced water fixture selection, metering and process enhancements.
“Just as the Rouge manufacturing renovation completed in 2003 set a new standard for sustainability, we expect to do the same as we transform our campuses into a modern, efficient complex that enhances the environment,” said Bill Ford, Ford executive chairman. “This project incorporates thoughtful ways to improve the environmental footprint of our facilities, while creating a vibrant workplace that inspires our employees.”
The company anticipates all renovated facilities on both campuses will achieve a minimum silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design process. All new construction is planned to meet LEED Gold certification standards, including sustainable material selection and material ingredient transparency.
The new buildings will have high-performance energy systems incorporating daylighting, solar orientation, natural airflow ventilation and heat recovery. An advanced storm water management system will capture, clean and reduce storm water run-off, while a greening of the site will include more planted areas and native species, a tree canopy and natural rain retention areas.
SmithGroupJJR designed the new campus layout, applying inspiration from tech companies and university campuses. Designs incorporate the seven concepts of the WELL Building Standard, which look at how air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mental and emotional health impact employees.
Collaborative work areas will be a key design feature throughout the complex. Employees can expect more natural light in individual work spaces and more daily choice about where to work on particular tasks.
From sit-stand desks and private spaces to indoor and outdoor cafes with Wi-Fi, employees will have plenty of choice, including at least one conference and meeting space for every seven employees. In addition, on-site fitness centers and more healthy dining options are planned.
“We are taking a holistic approach when integrating employee wellness into work environments,” said Donna Inch, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Land Development Corp. “We realize people are our greatest asset, and we are putting them at the heart of our workplace design to create healthy, happy work environments.”