Ford World Headquarters
- SIZE
- 2 Million+ Sq Ft.
- TARGET DATE
- 2027
- Location
- Dearborn, MI
The Ford World Headquarters is the culmination of more than a decade of working with Ford teams to understand and improve the way they design, develop, test, and prototype new products and experiences for customers.
In partnership with Snøhetta and Arcadis, every detail was carefully researched and considered—from the building’s form to the colors and materials to custom-designed furniture and more. Artwork was commissioned and selected to complement the overall design themes and bring the brand ethos to life. At every step, the human experience was prioritized. In fact, the level of hospitality featured throughout the building is rarely seen in a corporate setting.
The building sits within a 15-minute walk of over 14,000 employees, including an additional 6,000 within a 15-minute drive. Designers, executives, and engineers can now easily observe work happening across different areas, fostering better communication and understanding. Plus, thanks to 22-inch-thick concrete floors and strategic placement of walls and windows, prototype vehicles can be moved throughout the building without camouflage—greatly improving speed, convenience, and security.
“At every step, the human experience was prioritized.”
“The building celebrates Ford’s illustrious history in unexpected ways.”
The building celebrates Ford’s illustrious history in unexpected ways. Look closely at the glass, and you’ll see the Ford oval and a series of numbers etched into the surface, distributed evenly around the building. These numbers are pulled from over 90,000 patents Ford has registered, going all the way back to Henry himself.
The vehicles created within the building undergo comprehensive product reviews by leadership teams. The main showroom—the largest of three review spaces—features 10 in-floor turntables and hidden side walls that open to reveal the Color and Materials Showroom and Digital Showroom. These rooms house another rotating platform and a 64-foot micro-LED wall. Curtains along one wall of the main showroom open to reveal a large outdoor review courtyard. Back inside, custom lighting can emulate almost any atmospheric condition at any time of year.
Design prototyping, including metal, wood, trim and paint shops, is located at the center of the building. Three gantry mills allow for in-house prototyping and can mill a model the size of a full-size Super Duty® in just a few hours
The six design studios are split between the second and fourth floors and are identical in layout and size. Their location and layout facilitate greater collaboration and can speed the movement of prototypes throughout the building. Each room aligns with the recently announced customer profiles: Build, Thrill, and Adventure.
The third floor, strategically located between the studios, includes workspaces for cross-functional program members. Now, teams can go directly from design to development and vice versa, enabling faster design feedback and collaboration. The third floor also includes Energy Rooms. These large, flexible meeting spaces can accommodate a full-size vehicle for collaborative reviews, and the walls are wrapped in corkboard for pinning notes, designs, inspiration, and more.
“Teams can go directly from design to development and vice versa, enabling faster desgn feedback and collaboration.”
“At the heart of global operations, the new Ford World Headquarters brings design, engineering, and company leadership together in ways never before possible.”
Gallery Hall is the main employee dining area, featuring seven stand-up restaurants ranging from Asian and Mediterranean to pizza. It’s open to all Ford employees for lunch and collaborative meetings. Craft coffee and pastries can be found on the mezzanine between the first and second floors, surrounded by additional collaboration and focus workspace.
At the heart of global operations, the new Ford World Headquarters brings design, engineering, and company leadership together in ways never before possible. The building is part of a larger transformation, alongside the nearby Ford Engineering Lab, Ford Experience Center, and Dearborn Development Center, creating a campus where collaboration thrives and the Ford mission to deliver exceptional products and services comes to life.
GALLERY
Ford World Headquarters
