Rotisserie chickens and design secrets

Ford Motor is making a significant shift in its work culture by introducing a new, modern headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. The 2.1-million-square-foot facility, nicknamed “The Hub,” is designed to promote collaboration and provide a more appealing work environment for its employees. This new headquarters marks the sixth time the company has changed its main office since its founding in 1903.

The new building will consolidate thousands of employees from various locations under one roof, eventually housing up to 4,000 executives and employees involved in daily business operations, design, and product development. The facility is roughly split evenly between design and industrial operations, with massive studios featuring hidden courtyards and a large showroom. The other half is dedicated to general business operations, including executive offices and common work and meeting areas.

Design and Collaboration

The design of the new headquarters encourages collaboration and flexibility, with few traditional offices outside of those for top executives. Employees are encouraged to work in different areas or “neighborhoods” depending on their tasks, and domain staking – making a space a permanent workplace – is discouraged. This approach aims to make the workspace a tool for employees to be more productive and collaborative, aligning with the company’s Ford+ plan introduced by CEO Jim Farley in 2021.

The building features six courtyards, including a dual-level one at the center of the design studios, allowing designers to view products in natural light. Most of the four-story building has outside natural light from exterior glass walls, skylights, and other windowed areas, creating a more open and inviting environment.

Amenities and Sustainability

The new headquarters includes a 160,000-square-foot dining area with eight “kitchen concepts” offering rotating menus, take-home options like pizza and rotisserie chickens, decadent desserts, and a juice bar with an herb garden. This dining area is designed to foster collaboration over food, reflecting the company’s aim to make the office a more appealing place to work, especially after many employees returned to offices following remote work arrangements during the pandemic.

Outdoor spaces and walkability have also been prioritized, with the headquarters featuring vegetation and outdoor areas that make for a more walkable-friendly campus compared to the previous facility. This includes a test track and an 18-acre “Horsepower Park” surrounding the building, contributing to a more connected and sustainable campus environment.

Architectural Features

The building’s design intentionally discourages the use of elevators and escalators by making staircases prominent and inviting. Each staircase, especially in the 14 different arrival areas, is designed to be aesthetically pleasing and to encourage physical activity among employees. The main lobby features extremely wide stairs with seating areas and a coffee bar on a large landing, overlooking a white artwork made from vehicle parts.

The new headquarters also boasts large design studios equipped with advanced clay milling machines, a spacious showroom, and a 64-foot screen for virtual reviews and testing. Notably, the Ford logo is subtly integrated into the design, with a massive blue oval logo on the outside of the building and a glass pattern featuring the ovals accompanied by hidden numbers representing Ford patents on some exterior glass walls.