General Motors Design Studio

Photo Credit: SmithGroup / General Motors

For this project, General Motors aimed to align its facility and campus design standards to the design of its future vehicles. For this project specifically, the key goals were to reduce delays and cost overruns, leverage expertise and innovation and simplify project management and contract administration.

The GM Design Studio’s “wow factor” was the design-build team’s ability to utilize the processes and collaborative efforts to integrate significant design changes during the design and construction phase without sacrificing quality, schedule and fair pricing to deliver a project that exceeded the Owner’s expectations. This was exemplified by the inclusion of the Owner-furnished artwork, including sculptures that needed lighting, plumbing and structural reinforcements. The design-build team quickly absorbed these added features into the building design and implemented the installation.

Community Involvement and Human Impact

Awards judges commented on the project’s well-executed quality assurance/quality control process that was led by the design-build team with representatives from all parties. This project had a significant impact on the local community. First and foremost, the investment in this project by General Motors is doubling down on its commitment to Southeastern Michigan by creating what GM calls the largest automotive design facility in the world. The team was able to achieve over 20% diverse spend on the project. The project team conducted diversity and inclusion training sessions to help foster an inclusive environment. Membership programs were established to support and develop talent for minority team members. The project received a LEED certification.

Design-Build Team

Photos