The Connector Building program was to “connect” two manufacturing buildings that are part of the same continuous process for the fabrication of glazing assemblies. Prior to the Connector building, the employees would have to roll glass on carts from one building to the next across a rough concrete parking lot. This often resulted in broken, dirty, or wet glass depending on the weather conditions.
Though the purpose of the building is highly functional in nature, we approached the project as an opportunity to create a dialogue between the form and function of the building. The building not only acts as a billboard for the products which are created within, but also projects a sense of pride in the precision and skill of the workers. This approach has also greatly enhanced the working atmosphere, filling it with natural light, and a connection to the sky and exterior. This connection between the interior and exterior helps maintain a sense of time, the day passing, through long grueling shifts.