LOCATION // OAK CREEK, WI
DESIGN // 2017-2018 CONSTRUCTION // 2018-2019 CLIENT // ZUND DESIGN ARCHITECT // STUDIO GRAF ARCHITECT OF RECORD // EPSTEIN UHEN ARCHITECTS GENERAL CONTRACTOR // HUNZINGER CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY // STUDIO GRAF & PETER MCCULLOUGH |
ABOUT
Zünd, a Swiss manufacturer of digital cutting systems, sought to expand its U.S. operations with a new American headquarters and warehouse in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The goal was to create architecture reflective of what the company stands for: its advanced machines, which epitomize precision, high-efficiency, quality materials, and clean design. The building is the result of an international team effort. We had the pleasure to collaborate with Daniel Eggenberger, the architect involved with the Swiss Headquarters and local Wisconsin architecture firm EUA to make the building become a reality.
The vacated project site was selected for its advantageous surroundings. To the north stands City Hall and Drexel Town Square, a new pedestrian orientated mixed-use development. The east and south sides border a commercial/industrial area. The west fronts the City of Oak Creek Emerald Preserve Park, a recreational green belt with walking paths winding around retention ponds. Situating the new headquarters within these confines unified the urban fabric by connecting the independent zones.
Three core spaces comprise the Zund headquarters, the showroom with training facilities frequented by guests, offices for the sales team and technicians, and the warehouse for product storage. The building volumes were strategically placed to form a T-shaped plan creating pockets for future expansion opportunities in different areas. Orienting the building on a north-south axis, with the office situated north and the warehouse south, resulted as a natural response to the context.
The north facade functions as the front entrance and faces the Drexel Town Square development with the new City Hall at its center. An axial path between the Zund entrance and the town center links the hubs by providing a walkable connection that integrates the headquarters with the public realm. Sleek glass curtain wall with dark metal paneling sheath the simple, yet refined structure projecting quality and precision. The expansive glazing allows for the interior activity to be visible from the outside, conveying an open and welcoming presence to visitors, all the while affording occupants high-quality daylight and premier views of the emerging town center. Towards the west where the building is facing South 6th Street, the curtain wall replaces black precast concrete panels wrapping the ground floor. On the upper level, the cantilevered roof provides shade over the terrace and creates a strong and highly visible architectural presence. The east facade is more constrained with minimal fenestration, to reduce solar gain and shield views of an adjacent commercial building and parking lot. The warehouse embeds the complex into the predominantly industrial area to the south. The precast concrete panels create a monolithic block with very little fenestration, but the vertical board form finish matches the refined aesthetic of the main office building.
The ground floor focuses on the guest spaces. The visitor experience starts at the entry with a voluminous double-height lobby with unobstructed views to the reception area, conference room, and demonstration showroom. The impressive showroom elevates the visitor experience by showcasing Zund’s state of the art, digital cutting equipment. Hardware and software training rooms and a break area are situated opposite of the demo room. Level two houses the staff spaces, the offices, lounge, meeting rooms, and an outdoor terrace with views over the Emerald Preserve Park.
As a means of way-finding throughout the building, warm walnut wood panels accent the public spaces and subtly define circulation paths. Natural light permeates throughout the entire building with built-in automation for sun, shade, and temperature control, and a variety of workspaces offer flexibility for employees, creating a work environment centered on encompassing views and personal well-being.
As a means of way-finding throughout the building, warm walnut wood panels accent the public spaces and subtly define circulation paths. Natural light permeates throughout the entire building with built-in automation for sun, shade, and temperature control, and a variety of workspaces offer flexibility for employees, creating a work environment centered on encompassing views and personal well-being.
How it all started, the original visualization.