Thinking Out-Of-The-Box

All of the functional elements of office and warehouse space, redefined with a new, modern design concept, prioritize efficiency, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal. This approach integrates seamless workflows between administrative and operational areas, optimizing storage, accessibility, and work environments. Contemporary materials and innovative layouts enhance natural light and ventilation, while adaptable spaces support evolving business needs. The result is a cohesive environment that elevates productivity and reflects a forward-thinking corporate identity.

In 2005, the Knysz Office & Warehouse Building in Wayne, Michigan, was built at a cost of $93 per square foot, totaling $1.44 million. During that period, constructing a building of comparable caliber—characterized by a creative sculptural form combined with custom architectural detailing—typically ranged from $125 to $150 per square foot. This indicates that the Knysz project was completed at a notably efficient cost relative to similar architectural standards at the time.

Vision

Creating a clear vision — To integrate office and warehouse space into a creative building form motivated our design team to identify and overcome many design and construction obstacles. By utilizing architecture and structural engineering strategies, the design team worked directly with suppliers and sub-contractors during the design process to obtain relevant feedback and align the vision with the construction budget. This collaborative approach ensured practical solutions without compromising design integrity, fostering efficiency and cost-effective solutions.

  • The building form is derived from the size and shape of the site, tucked behind an existing two story medical office building. Based on the limited area of the buildable site, City of Wayne Parking Requirements could not be accommodated; therefore, we negotiated a parking easement agreement with the neighboring property to the East, to provide additional parking.

  • The main floor area spans 9,100 square feet and is comprised of three primary functions: a dental equipment sales area, a French wine distribution section, and leasable warehouse spaces. This multifaceted layout supports diverse commercial activities within a single footprint, optimizing the utilization of available space while accommodating distinct business operations. The design ensures efficient circulation and access for both office and distribution purposes, alongside flexible leasing options for warehouse tenants.

  • The main building entrance provides vertical circulation to the second floor, and entrances to individual suites.

  • Our final design concept embodies the culmination of multiple design iterations and ideas, each rigorously tested and evaluated. This continuous refinement process ensures that every element aligns with and supports the overarching project vision, resulting in a cohesive and purposeful architectural solution.

  • The bold roof forms, angled at various slopes, accommodate an additional 6,734 square feet of second floor leasable office space, providing a total building areas of 15,492 square feet. The second floor open office plan provides maximum flexibility to accommodate a wide range of office sizes and configurations, with ability to carve-out various ceiling heights within the sloped roof forms. The second floor provides scenic views of the Rouge River below.

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  • The exterior veneer is composed of Centria ribbed metal panel, mounted on girts, with substantial wall insulation. All finish metal corners were custom designed by the architect and approved by Centria.

    Custom flashing and corner detail transition the Centria metal wall panels from vertical to horizontal orientation. A very cost-effective design solution to achieve a modest construction budget.