AIA Awards Valeo Technical Center Highest Recognition for Design Excellence

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--April 9, 2002--The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has awarded the Valeo Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Mich. the architectural profession's highest recognition of excellence in design -- the AIA "Honor Award for Outstanding Architecture." Valeo's Auburn Hills North facility was one of only 18 nationwide selected from 426 submissions. The 120,000 square foot building houses operations for the North American Engine Cooling and Climate Control divisions of Valeo, one of the world's leading automotive suppliers.
    "The Valeo Technical Center is a high-technology design concept in Auburn Hills, Mich. that provides an invigorating workspace and reflects the company's focus on sophisticated, highly engineered components and systems," said Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, the institute's executive vice president and CEO. The award citation is being conferred May 11 in a ceremony at the AIA National Convention in Charlotte, NC.
    Designed by Davis Brody Bond, LLP, the layout brings work teams together to interact in efficient, often elegant spaces. Through its unique use of glass and openness, people, space, and workflow are better integrated. On the second floor, for example, an observer can see from one end of the building to the other. Virtually everyone and everything is within view.
    "This entire building was designed for transparency," said Robert Strazzella, group vice president Valeo - North America. "Our underlying belief is that nothing should be hidden in business. Valeo's vision was to build a technical center that promotes teamwork through transparency and openness. This architectural layout encourages involvement by everyone in everything we do."
    All work areas are open, except for some conference rooms and directors' offices, which are enclosed in glass. Glass walls rarely exceed seven feet and do not reach the ceiling. Drywall is used on some of the conference room walls to cover structural elements. Dropped lighting armatures also incorporate power and data cables, allowing for quick reconfiguration of work spaces and work teams.
    Departing from more separate and detached departments, Valeo is organized into cross-functional teams that service specific programs for a given customer. Teams are comprised of members from engineering, program management, finance, sales and marketing, purchasing and quality.
    Work areas occupy two floors. The building's second floor is devoted entirely to office areas, while the first floor houses a combination of offices and a 45,000 square-foot laboratory. Within the testing area, where life cycle testing is almost continuous, there is no noise or vibration in the main corridors and it remains amazingly quiet. Soundproof glass around the test chambers absorbs vibrations that would otherwise distract team members, yet it allows constant visual contact among team members throughout the work process. The laboratory's open architecture coupled with a sophisticated computerized log system permits easy storage and retrieval of components at various stages of testing.
    Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production, and sale of components, integrated systems, and modules for cars and trucks. As of the end of 2001, the Group has 143 plants, 53 research and development centers, 10 distribution centers and employs nearly 70,000 in 25 countries worldwide. For more information, see www.valeo.com.

    Note: Color photo of Valeo building available by contacting Mike Wilson at Hedge & Company, 248-350-2190.