We’ve partnered with NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) since 2010 to create the administrative campus designed for the next generation of space innovation. Buildings 4220 & 4221 complement the historic MSFC’s aesthetic while providing collaborative office spaces and amenities for the modern workplace. NASA’s goal for the design was to consolidate engineers used to working in isolated stand-alone offices into an operationally efficient, collaborative office space that could attract and retain the brightest and best of the professional engineering field.

The exterior design provides a showpiece that maintains the spirit of connection and collaboration already established on the campus, while being aesthetically compatible with existing buildings. The exterior glass and metal elements reflect NASA brand elements and site positioning created vistas of the campus greenway. A communal courtyard accesses the outdoor space with an incorporated monument walk to communicate MSFC’s rich history. Visitors and employees alike are invited into the NASA story.

These projects are the first major replacement buildings in the main administrative 4200 complex at the Marshall Space Flight Center, replacing existing facilities with new five-story, 150,000-square-foot administrative buildings. Designed to be energy and operationally efficient, the buildings include a large atrium gathering space, open office areas, a variety of conference rooms, collaboration space, balconies and information technology support spaces.  Public atriums provide shared collaboration spaces and also engage visitors with the innovative work of staff, designing components for the rockets and systems to be used in the next generation of space travel to the moon and beyond.

Key aspects of the design include:

• Massing and use of glass and metal elements that are aesthetically compatible with existing 4200 complex and the historic Marshall Space Flight Center.
• Building and site designed as part of an integrated campus master plan, incorporating a future quadrangle and greenway to enhance the pedestrian-friendly nature of the complex.
• Dual-certified with the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Initiative.  Some sustainable features include solar photo-voltaic panels, HVAC energy recovery units, a rainwater collection cistern supplying irrigation water, permeable hard-scape plaza pavers, and native landscaping.

Client

NASA

Location

Huntsville, AL

Square Feet

150,000 each

Certifications

4220: LEED Silver & 2 Green Globes

4221: LEED Silver & 3 Green Globes

Design Services

Architecture

Interiors