The Volvo USA Headquarters building provides the centerpiece for the auto manufacturer’s first U.S manufacturing facility located in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Representing a $1.1billion investment, Volvo’s SC campus is aimed at expanding the Swedish firm’s global manufacturing footprint. The adjacent Corporate Training Center was designed to provide a state of the art simulation training facility for the auto maker’s 4000 employee work force.
The owner’s commitment to the environment is evident through out the campus including stringent LEED requirements, cutting edge energy efficiency, a dedicated Solar Farm as well as restoration of over 1500 acres of wetlands surrounding the site.
The Headquarters Building incorporates the latest in European Chilled Beam HVAC technology, a highly efficient water sourced radiation/convection system integrated within the suspended ceilings. Unlike the light weight ceiling diffusers and flexible duct used for the typical forced air systems, the “beams” or heat exchangers are attached to waterlines in the plenum and suspended from building structure on rigid bracing prior to grid installation. Since the rigid bracing allows no lateral movement for adjustment, Acousti worked closely with the HVAC contractor and CM on this project to coordinate the exact placement of hundreds of Chilled Beam units prior to installing ceiling grid. This proactive team effort resulted in a seamless ceiling and HVAC installation, allowing the building to be completed well ahead of schedule.
Architect: Albert Kahn (Headquarters Building); McMillan/Pazdan/Smith (Training Center)
Construction Manager: HITT Construction
Scope: Armstrong Exposed Grid Ceiling System, Armstrong Woodworks Linear Ceiling System, Decoustics Claro Acoustical Panels, USG Exposed Grid Ceiling System
