Construction of a 163,350-square-foot North American headquarters for Swiss-based Bystronic Inc. has been completed at 2200 Central Road in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The “Experience Center” facility was designed and conceptualized by Heitman Architects and constructed by McShane Construction Company.
Bystronic is an international high-tech manufacturer of high-quality machines and systems for processing sheet metal and other flat materials for laser cutting, bending and automation. Construction of the new North American headquarters and manufacturing facility began in fall 2018.
The completion of the facility allows Bystronic to execute the firm’s relocation from Elgin, Illinois to Hoffman Estates. The facility includes 30,400 square feet of office space, 67,750-square feet of production space, 35,000 square feet of warehouse space and a 30,200-square-foot showroom. The facility is on an 11.2-acre site off the I-90 corridor, with proximity to O’Hare International Airport.
Bystronic sought a facility that would seamlessly integrate its office, showroom, training and production operations in one facility. Further, unique design and functional considerations were required because of the specialized nature of the large and heavy equipment needed for company operations.
“The design and functionality of the HQ facility is in keeping with the high-tech nature of the company,” said Todd Kiehn, LEED AP BD+C, senior project manager of Heitman Architects, a national firm based in suburban Chicago. “Equally important for Bystronic was the ability to have a facility that meets current operation requirements, while incorporating flexibility to grow and evolve as business events dictate.”
The building plan is organized around the visitor experience and includes a catwalk bisecting the showroom on the east and the manufacturing floor to the west. There are stacking hospitality rooms that overlook the showroom, and a large central conference room that is perched off the catwalk with 360-degree views to both the showroom and the manufacturing floor.
This unique design allows clients to work in conference rooms suspended above the showroom and manufacturing floor and view the equipment and the production process.
“This state-of-the-art facility will provide tremendous advantages as Bystronic continues to support its employees, clients and vendors around the world,” said Robert St. Aubin, president of the America’s market division. “We are excited to be entering this new stage for our business and look forward to showcasing our manufacturing and business operations to clients and visitors.”
The building’s training facilities are located on the second floor of the facility and include state-of-the-art presentation capabilities. Office operations are located on the first floor. The open concept with interior private offices enables direct employee collaboration with continuous window lines providing views toward I-90 and harvesting natural daylighting from the south.
A central two-story grand hall is the main gathering space integrating the entire building population. Designed as a central destination place it serves as the café/bistro and as a town hall infused with natural daylight. Accessible to both plant and office workers, and to training facility visitors, it is a place for unpredictable collisions between the diverse populations enhancing innovation though unplanned conversations.
Other features of the facility include a large framed glass east façade, providing a picture window type view into the high-tech laser equipment showroom. An elevated showroom directly overlooking a wildlife habitat and bird sanctuary features native plantings, tall grasses and pedestrian pathways. Additionally, a grand hall with a second staircase and an open game room overlooks the café and grand hall.