This past year I’ve had the pleasure of working on and managing a rather unique and invigorating project. PA is an Italian company that manufactures high pressure washer accessories (such as nozzles, spray guns, connectors, etc.) based in the town of Rubiera near Modena, Italy. The MSP metro area is one of their primary business hubs outside of Italy so they have been working towards opening their first new plant outside of Italy here for some time. With the help of their broker IAG Commercial, they identified an existing industrial building in Bloomington to renovate for their new Minnesota home base. The 1970’s building had good bones but would require extensive renovation to upgrade it to the refined and modern space PA requires.
Firm Ground is grateful for this opportunity to serve as the design firm on the project. The design-build team in addition included Tegra Group (Project Management) and Shaw Lundquist and Associates (General Contractor). I am thankful to have the privilege of working with the excellent people of these two companies. Since we were all brought in together as the team from the very beginning, we were able to identify and solve potential design problems and constraints with an efficient and cohesive approach. With the client located an ocean away from us, this cohesion became even more important after the pandemic halted their ability to make regular visits to Minnesota over the last 8 months.
In addition to the pleasure of working with such a great team, this project afforded us invigorating architectural and interior design opportunities. PA has a specific and refined design aesthetic at their Italy plant that they sought to emulate here. They require an immaculately clean and modern manufacturing area washed with natural light, which we in part accomplished through nearly 3,000 square feet of new skylights punched into the existing roof. They also test their products in-house, which required highly specialized technical design to accommodate their custom-made testing equipment. The office area calls for high grade finishes with sleek glass and wood partition walls and a statement lobby entrance area, as well as employee amenities such as locker rooms, private infirmary, and a spacious break room.
Rendering
Perhaps unsurprising given our client’s home country, exquisite tile is the centerpiece of the interior design package that our interior designer Abbey had a wonderful time working with them on. PA’s office and manufacturing spaces are an essential component of their brand. It is critical that their customers and clients who visit see that the quality of their product pervades through every aspect of their operation.
To fully appreciate their aesthetic and company culture, they invited the team to visit their plant in Northern Italy. It was an unforgettable four days of touring their operation and the surrounding area. I will always remember the graciousness and gratitude with which they hosted us with on our trip and continued to display this past year through the whole project. It has been a joy getting to know everyone on this project and it’s a reminder that the relationships I get to build with both our clients and our project partners. This is a part of my job that I am extremely thankful for in this unprecedented year.
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