Product category:
Design and Build Services
News Release from: Gensler | Subject: Gensler Muscatine
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 31 January 2000
Allsteel open new corporate HQ designed
by Gensler
Designed by Gensler Muscatine, Iowa-Allsteel, one of the leading manufacturers of contract furniture in North America, has opened their new corporate headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa.
Designed by Gensler Muscatine, Iowa-Allsteel , one of the leading manufacturers of contract furniture in North America, has opened their new corporate headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa Designed by Gensler, the headquarters reflects Allsteel's most important corporate values: honesty, openness, and commitment to customers
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 28 Jul 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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'The value of working with a design firm like Gensler, is that we achieved what we most desired: a headquarters that honors not just how we work, but who we are,' says Stan Askren, President, at Allsteel.
'Gensler helped us understand that we are not a typical company: we're hard working, but casual.
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We are non-hierarchical; our leadership is completely accessible.
Moreover, we are proud of our roots, our Midwestern heritage, and we wanted a space that reflected these traits,' he continued.
Early in the planning process, Allsteel made a strategic decision to renovate an existing manufacturing plant rather than build a new structure thereby preserving valuable green space in this historic community located on the banks of the Mississippi.
The new corporate headquarters is comprised of four major components: an office area, the working corporate headquarters for Allsteel; a training facility that will serve as a regional and national training center for the 4,000 Allsteel dealers and sales representatives around the U.S.; and a showroom to showcase Allsteel products.
On top of these functional areas, Gensler has incorporated a common area - the Allsteel community center.
It's the glue that holds the three functional areas together.
It's a resource for the Allsteel community, people moving through the building will enjoy chance encounters as well as more organized gatherings to share ideas and information.
Reinforcing Allsteel's bonds to the local community, it will also provide a gathering place for community events and social occasions.
A significant feature of the facility is Allsteel's Tower of Innovation, it's a silo-shaped tower that rises 33' from the floor to the roof above.
From the exterior, it rises out of the center of the building.
Wrapped by a ring of 10' tall sandblasted lights, it serves as a beacon, attracting attention to the new facility.
Inside the building, the tower is a touchpoint between the product development area and the showroom.
Gensler's designer Collin Burry describes the feature as critical to illustrating Allsteel's core business.
'Allsteel's product design teams sit near the Tower of Innovation and the showroom.
The model shop is directly behind their area, so they can build sample pieces that come out of the product development process.
In this way, the space reflects the life cycle of a product: from conception (the creative collaboration area), to design (the product design team area), to prototyping (the model shop), to delivery (the product showroom).' An added benefit of the design is the product showroom.
It's a large, open area for showcasing Allsteel's new products.
It is bordered on one side by the Wall of Chairs, a way to showcase the chairs in an interesting, architectural way.
'Our new headquarters authentically epitomizes Allsteel as we are today.
It honors our long, and successful history and it reaffirms our long-standing commitment to the local community,' added Tim Smith, Vice President, Marketing Services at Allsteel.
Gensler's influence as a thought leader in branding and workplace design and its strong reputation for innovation and strategic insight made the firm the ideal partner to create a place that is an authentic reflection of Allsteel today.
Allsteel is one of the best-known manufacturers of office furniture in North America.
Building on its heritage of excellent design and robust engineering.
Allsteel is focused on providing its customers with the 'best total experience' when buying office furniture.
The company's business philosophy is built around an operational model that stresses solid personal relationships and exceptional efficiency.
The company strives to create new and innovative systems, seating and storage products, utilizing its in-house creative staff, as well as some of the best-recognized furniture designers in the industry.
Allsteel furniture is marketed by a coast-to-cast network of value-added resellers, and can be seen in its showrooms in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
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