When Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc (Esri) choose to create a new corporate image on their campus in Redlands, they found inspiration from museum architecture of Japan, and the simplicity and purity of Scandinavian design.
The new corporate office sits at the center of their suburban campus and has become an icon for the area. The three story, 83,000 sf building houses not only the main corporate offices, but is also the conferencing center for the campus with briefing rooms, demonstration areas, and an auditorium for 300 people. The Esri campus includes 15 buildings on the 35 acres campus. The campus had been divided by a broad palm tree lined street, that had physically divided the campus for years. As part of the unification of the campus, the new building closed off the street at the south entrance of the campus, creating a focal point at the end of the street, but also reducing traffic and uniting the campus.
The form of the building is derived from four vertical concrete slabs that divide the building into three distinct zones - the central atrium and two office wings. The central atrium's glass cube and its strategic placement on the street axis preserve the visual corridor of the street. The building nestles into its densely vegetated surroundings where the green space enters into the building's volume on the south side under the large exterior shading,vines and plants are allowed to grow up the concrete walls.
The office wing facade is clad in redwood siding with integrated sun shading. The atrium's south side is protected by a large sunshade suspended horizontally spanning between the two wings. The vertical concrete walls are accented by carefully placed windows and openings providing visual connections for these two contrasting zones. During the day ever changing light and shadow filters through the skylights and sun shads animate these concrete walls. At night they are lit and become glowing sculptures.
The atriums voluminous space is 3 stories high with suspended bridges crossing from one wing to the other. The first floor is polished concrete, flanked by rough concrete walls and maple wood accent walls that give warmth to the central atrium. The white bridges and stairs contrast the hanging meeting box that is clad in maple wood. The atrium is the social center of the building and the campus, allowing ample opportunities for interactions between those employed and guests alike. The atrium aims to be as transparent and delicate as possible utilizing a roof hung Pilkington glass system to create a weightlessness in the space. To further accent this weightlessness; the bridges, the two story meeting boxes, and stairs are all supported by the roof with minimal horizontal steel members.
Solar panels, exterior passive shading and a thermal-mass design contribute to a building that has lower maintenance and cooling costs. The atrium utilizes the thermal-mass of the cast on-site concrete walls and polished concrete floors to balance the daily temperature fluctuation. The auditorium is placed partially below grade with site-cast concrete walls. Placing the auditorium underground creates a naturally cooler space, while the concrete walls help to moderate the temperature.
