Scope
Corporate HQ Addition + Renovation
Completion
2014
Size
210,000 sf
The Timken Company expanded their Jackson Township, Ohio research headquarters with a 150,000 square foot addition, as well as a 60,000 square foot renovation of corporate offices. In order to create a greater synergy between divisions, Timken’s goal for the office project was to bring employees from multiple corporate facilities throughout the area into one research and engineering facility.
The Timken reputation for technical expertise and quality products drove our commitment to the highest construction standards for a building that would symbolize the company’s leadership. We’re very proud of this building, which will sustain us for long-term success.
Richard G. Kyle, President and CEO, The Timken Company
Gensler and SōL Harris/Day teamed up to deliver architectural design, interior design consultation, furniture selection, and move management services. Additionally, Timken hired SōL Harris/Day to act as an owner’s representative to oversee the construction process, monitor important details, and assure project quality. Construction decisions were expedited to keep the office project on schedule and within budget.
In the midst of construction, Timken split into two separate companies, creating a need for plans to immediately change to include approximately 300 additional employees. SHD reviewed the current workspace needs and developed a plan that would allow for the inclusion of the additional employees, without adding any square footage to the workspace.
Multiple variations of meeting spaces are offered, including window-adjacent open enclaves, 4-6 person “huddle rooms", breakout areas, team rooms, large formal conference rooms, and training rooms, all fully equipped with the latest technology. A centralized café on each floor provides employees a place to grab a coffee or hold a quick meeting.
A stunning monumental wood staircase, flushed with natural light from skylights above, connects both stories at the atrium, creating great visibility between the two floors. The main dining space, located on the first floor, provides seating for 250 people, in a carefully curated mix of seating types including lounge, bar-height, booths, and various tables for all group sizes. The dining room is connected to a large exterior patio, fully furnished and equipped with wi-fi for working sessions or simply enjoying the warm weather.
Individual workspaces are divided into 50-person “neighborhoods,” which create opportunities for collaboration and interaction. The neighborhoods are designed to be open and light-filled, affording various departments to work together while connecting to the outdoors. Workstations are situated on exterior glass, while private offices and conference rooms with glass walls are located in the core of the office building, allowing natural light to penetrate into everyone’s workspace.
During the design process, there was much discussion surrounding the height of the workstation panels. Since a majority of the building’s occupants are engineers, a balance had to be found between the need for quiet “solo” work, and management’s desire to create a more open, collaborative environment, where all employees have a view outdoors. The result was to lower panels to approximately 50”, eliminating the cubicle farm but creating “seated privacy.” Recognizing there is still sometimes a need for full concentration which can be challenging in an open office environment, a number of focus rooms are placed throughout the neighborhoods. These small rooms are equipped with various types of furniture, a phone, and of course a place to plug in your laptop.
It took great teamwork with Owner, Architect/Design Team, and Construction Manager to achieve this level of [LEED] certification, and we conclude the project with a lasting mark of sustainability.
Norm Moore, Project Lead, The Timken Company
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