ZF Offices – Northville

Neumann/Smith Architecture redesigned ZF’s North American Headquarters in Michigan with agile working neighborhoods, natural lighting, and amenities to support a hybrid work environment and employee well-being.

Firm
  • Client ZF,
  • size 128,700 sqft
  • Year 2024
  • Location Northville, Michigan, United States,
  • Industry Manufacturing,
  • ZF made the decision to downsize their offices and adopt a hybrid work environment at a new North American Headquarters. The design team worked closely with ZF’s key stakeholders to identify the key drivers and goals of the renovation.

    The 128,700 square-foot, Northville interior office space was broken down into neighborhoods based on an agile working method, with each neighborhood designed to promote collaboration, communication, and space efficiency. The open office environment can accommodate up to 1,052 staff members on an average of 2 days in the office. The neighborhood consists of height-adjustable workstations, private offices, phone booths, meeting rooms, and a centrally located living room space for impromptu meetings and collaborative conversations.

    To maximize access to natural daylighting, new circulation paths were established, and new A/V infrastructure was implemented campus-wide to support the hybrid work model.

    Based on user feedback, key amenity areas have been established to bring staff back into the office, attract new talent, and provide a space for in-person socialization and team building. These new amenities include an auditorium space, open café spaces to encourage collaboration and socialization among coworkers, an Innovation area designed for tinkering and makers, a game room equipped with a golf simulation and table games, and a new wellness space.

    The wellness area is intended to provide users with a safe space that encourages health and wellness. It is equipped with a small fitness space, two private wellness rooms, enclosed private areas with treadmill walking workstations, individual shower rooms, and an open area filled with natural daylighting to provide a quiet and serene space within the office building.

    A finish palette comprised of bright white and neutral gray tones. Accent colors were intentionally chosen based on brand specifications and neighborhood identification. The interior space is filled with new lighting systems, a vast range of greenery, and a variety of furnishings to support a range of working styles.

    Design: Neumann/Smith Architecture
    Contractor: Roncelli
    Furniture: ISCG
    Photography: Jason Keen