In spring of 2015, OPN Architects began an addition to the existing John Deere Horicon 101 stamping facility. The 388,000 gsf project will provide assembly and warehouse space for John Deere Gator and Riding Lawn Equipment. A four month design schedule with multiple bid packages began April 15, 2015 and the facility will be operational by October 1, 2016. Design kicked off with a two-day design charrette. 24 attendees from the owner and design teams participated and took the concept from a blank sheet of paper to a schematic design package issued just two days after the charrette. Three additional one-day charrettes throughout the design schedule helped coordinate team efforts across all disciplines.

The team immediately identified a critical site issue: The site was interrupted by multiple large wetlands that needed to be mitigated and a navigable waterway that needed to be crossed. OPN Architects supported the owner with key collateral design material to facilitate negotiations with the DNR and Army Corps for wetlands mitigation. The project also had a critical interior issue that required a variance from the State of Wisconsin DSPS. OPN Architects brought on a code consultant FP+C to support the project with fire modeling processes to demonstrate to the State that fire walls were not needed in the middle of assembly areas.

To manage the budget, the team considered multiple design concepts for the building envelope and systems and assisted with Value Engineering processes throughout the project. Weekly video conferences and presentation materials, such as a video animation of the exterior, allow the client to stay involved and informed as the project progresses.