Zwilling J. A. Henckels USA Headquarters

Context

The 8.2 acre property and 115,000sf building had been abandoned for a decade. The existing warehouse and office areas had limited height clearance and require substantial infrastructure improvements. The site spans two zoning districts which dictate where warehouse areas must be located. Soil conditions are generally poor and the existing building is on piles.

Goals/Requirements

60,000sf of 40 foot clear height warehouse

40,000sf of 30 foot clear height warehouse

22,000sf of modern office, showroom and flex area 7 loading bays (4 more than existing)

Expedited municipal review and approval

Solution

To accelerate municipal approval, minimize impact, and control cost, a decision was made to locate the majority of the new 122,000sf combined warehouse, office, and cooking school building on the footprint of the abandoned building. The 100,000sf of high clearance warehouse was enclosed in pre-engineered structure from Nucor Building Systems, facilitating accelerated construction time and controlled cost. This industrial structure is refined by decorative metal panels that conceal gutters, downspouts, and less expensive corrugated siding.
To the east, screening the warehouse from the main public view is a two story office block which has been elongated into a parallelogram to evoke the precision and elegance of Zwilling J.A. Henckels’ products. The first floor generally follows the profile of the old building while the second story is cantilevered over the first to provide the required contiguous office area while minimizing the need for new foundations and piles. Not only does the structure enhance the screening of the taller warehouse, it also creates an open arrival court. The project was developed with a focus on sustainability, and includes a 846.64kW solar array