Bayer MaterialScience Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Project Statistics Area: 59,900 SF Completion: 2012 LEED® Gold Certified (Building 14) Services Provided Office Planning Collaborative Culture Shift
Consolidation and Sustainability Initiative Interior Renovation CH2M HILL’s architectural entity, IDC Architects, worked with Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) to assess their North American corporate headquarters campus and plan a series of renovations, reorganizations, and sustainable upgrades to five of their existing facilities. Two office building interiors (Building 14 and Building 16) were selected and redesigned to transform the existing floor plans, dominated by individual closed offices, into a vibrant open office plan. This effort reduced their real-estate footprint, saving millions of dollars in future rental fees while improving the conditions and productivity for the workers.
Department Organization Energy Modeling Renovation of Building Envelope Entrance Pavilion Design
The new office layouts not only reduce total square footage but support an active and collaborative working environment with additional conference and team meeting spaces. Each worker has access to exterior views, collaborative spaces, and private meeting space.
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BMS values long-term decisions that conserve energy and provide safer and higher quality work environments. The new office plans improved day lighting, interior lighting, and air quality, as well as increased exterior views. Building 14 received LEED® Gold Certification, and Building 16 is seeking LEED® Gold Certification. Exterior Transformation BMS and IDC Architects also identified the three oldest buildings on the corporate campus in need of envelope upgrades. The existing 1950s buildings had uninsulated exterior masonry walls, moisture problems, and outdated curtain wall and glazing systems. The design solution was to wrap the existing exterior masonry walls with a new metal insulated rainscreen and to replace the single glazed curtain wall system with a new energy efficient curtain wall developed using BMS’ Glass Reinforced Polyurethane (GRP). In the process of making these energy efficient upgrades, BMS wanted to showcase their architectural products. The new building envelopes use BMS’ products, including three types of building insulation, insulated curtain wall systems, sealants, and interior lighting. The new curtain walls are more transparent, allowing for improved day lighting and views. IDC Architects worked with BMS to develop and pioneer a new glass curtain wall system using GRP mullions. Low-E coated double pane insulated glass and the new GRP mullion systems allowed for more glass while still improving thermal performance. The windows facing south incorporate shadow boxes to reduce solar heat gain. The new metal rainscreen improves thermal insulation, adding a layer of depth and interest to the façade and modernizing the facility — providing an elegant and green image. The metal rainscreen, new roof caps, and flashing also help protect the building from moisture. Material Science Entrance A new entrance pavilion for the BMS Headquarters Building was added to greet visitors. The Bayer logo is a large-scale graphic, printed on glass, to brand the building. The light from the interior makes it a lantern when it is night and an inviting sheltered entrance by day. The new entrance pavilion hosts a gallery to showcase the company’s work to visitors and clients and adds a secure point of control to the facility. The area around the entrance has been completely redesigned. It has been transformed from a barren lawn into a landscaped plaza which synergizes with the new entrance pavilion (patterns in the paving extend the building’s geometry) to provide a more gracious entry experience. The tables and chairs have been extensively used in good weather and wireless connectivity in this outdoor area has made it a viable work space alternative.
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