World Headquarters – Central Building

Experiencing unprecedented growth, The J.M. Smucker Company sought to expand their World Headquarters campus and provide new modern working spaces for their evolving workforce. Following successful projects with Smucker offices around the country and in Canada, the company invited Domokur & Associates to help them find and deliver a solution in the form of a new comprehensive Master Plan and central campus building.

At our initial meetings, we listened to Smucker’s primary concerns and quickly helped identify an underperforming area on campus. Two of the campus’ main buildings were physically separate from each other. The lack of connection made it difficult for employees to meet and work on shared tasks and projects – an issue we could see becoming more problematic as employee numbers grew.

Identifying Smucker’s wishes for a new entry experience and their need for consolidation and increased office capacity, we proposed a new ‘Central Building.’ The new building links the two existing buildings and acts as a new formal visitor entrance. It has been designed with sustainability and flexibility in mind, ensuring it meets the needs of the business’ expanding workforce.

Acting as architect and construction manager, we were responsible for the project from beginning to end. We delivered full architectural services, landscape design and interior design, and coordinated the construction. Having set an aggressive 18-month beginning-to-end project schedule, we relied on our proven capacity to establish close working relationships with independent contractors and design consultants to successfully deliver the project on time.

The new Central Building bridges the gap between the existing North and West Buildings, suspending itself over an existing road and creating a new formal entry to the campus. Designed to comfortably sit between the two buildings, it not only creates a more functional appearance, but also provides a new architectural expression to the campus that reflects Smucker’s business character. While its heavy masonry base with integrated brick pilasters is an extension of the existing building’s architectural expression, a lightweight glazed and more modern top section caps the building, making it feel less intimidating, more transparent, and ultimately more inviting. It is further complemented by a restrained but high-quality façade material palette consisting of glass, metal sunshades, brick, and limestone panels

We performed an in-depth spatial analysis, and designed the floor plates to promote structured and productive interactions. On the ground level, a welcoming reception invites the user to the levels above and below via an open central stair. Shared, flexible and open-plan workspaces hug the central atrium and extend throughout the middle of the floor plates. New offices, separated from the open workspaces by transparent glass partitions, wrap around the building’s perimeter, allowing all occupants to share the daylight and views. Conference rooms have ‘smart glass’ partitions that privacy when required via electric current. The extensive use of glass as a principal façade element and an interior partitioning device enhances the overall sense of openness within the building and between employees.

LEED Silver Certified, the new Central Building is a sustainable addition to Smucker’s global headquarters. Amongst other measures, we ensured that at least 75% of the construction waste was recycled, more than 10% of the building’s materials were locally sourced, and water-saving technologies were installed throughout the building. Seen as an investment, we foresee the Central Building continuing to hold and deliver value into the future for not only Smucker’s employees but also its stakeholders.