KI Goes Beyond with Owens Corning in Future-Proofing Workspaces with 'Infinity from KI'

GREEN BAY, WIS. – KI recently supported Owens Corning, a global leader in building materials for roofing, insulation and composites, in redesigning its corporate headquarters and creating workspaces that will support the organization for the next 25 years by engaging its Infinity from KI process.

“When we first met with the team from Owens Corning, they knew their 20-year-old headquarters building was great, but it really wasn’t great for the next 25 years,” said Jonathan Webb, market leader for workplace strategy and design, KI. “We met with a cross-functional team to discuss the future and establish the principles that would guide the eventual renovations and development of their main ‘Hub’ working space.”

Those principles included collaboration, productivity and cost, as well as leveraging the beautiful sight lines overlooking the Maumee River and downtown Toledo, Ohio. It was the creative collaboration between KI and the Owens Corning team that led to a highly energized, innovative space to bring people together to collaborate and help Owens Corning grow, especially from a global perspective.

“Some companies come in and want to talk to you and tell you their thought starters before they even understand what you want,” said Deb Craig, senior construction manager, Hines. “KI was so different. They really wanted to listen. They wanted to hear what we're doing now, what we need to change and what we like. They had so many creative ideas of how to get us from where we thought we wanted to be to where we really ended up.”

After listening to their ideas, desires and special requirements, the team engaged Infinity from KI, a process by which the KI team helps design and build personalized furniture solutions, tailored to meet the needs of each client’s brand, space and employees. In partnering with Owens Corning, KI co-created workspaces that blend beautifully within the interior curves of their unique César Pelli-designed building, where typical systems product would not work. As a result, these dynamic, employee-centered workstations actively enable collaboration, organization and personalization while seamlessly supporting the building’s unique architecture.

In addition, KI and Owens Corning designed the marquee conference room in the ‘Hub’ with 33 feet of glass storefront featuring KI’s Lightline® architectural wall, providing beautiful views of the river. The custom wall framework was also used in a new way, featuring Zintra® felt-based material in different colors and shape cutouts to help with wayfinding. Solid panel Evoke® architectural walls were specified with markerboard shells, magnetic accessories and integrated power to further facilitate employee meetings and work styles.

“The entire design has created a new way to work,” said Rick Avery, sourcing director for global indirect materials, Owens Corning. “KI being part of this project was integral to helping us realize our vision of a new way to work.”

The full case study, featuring a detailed video and installation images, can be viewed on KI’s website: www.ki.com/spaces/case-studies/workplace/owens-corning