Ghafari and our landscape architecture partner, Zaremba + Company, were recently honored at the Detroit Design Awards for our work on the Ford Rotunda Office Tower renovation and expansion project in Dearborn, Michigan. The project was honored in the Commercial Landscape category and featured in the latest issue of Detroit Design.
Ford engaged the Ghafari team to conduct a series of studies related to the Rotunda Center – a nearly 40-year-old complex comprised of an office tower and an adjacent former R+D facility – and ultimately design a contemporary, vibrant work environment for 1,200 employees. We completed current state analyses of the office tower and R+D facility, concluding that it was best to modernize the office tower, demolish the R+D facility, and replace it with a new amenities building.
The office tower was reskinned with the interior completely renovated, including energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems. In line with Ford’s modern workplace standards, the design moves away from formal, enclosed office spaces in favor of more open floorplans with low-partition workstations and collaboration areas. The amenities building houses a full-service cafeteria, conference center, shipping / receiving area, four-bay garage, and the complex’s main power distribution.
The renewed center offers Ford’s team members a brighter, more energizing, and sustainable work environment that enables enhanced collaboration.
