BMW Group DesignworksUSA is a global design consultancy with both an automotive and industrial design studio, enabling the transfer of knowledge and inspiration.  DesignworksUSA has brand communications, strategy, research, design development, engineering, modeling and color and materials expertise with studios in Los Angeles, Munich, and Singapore. They are hired to design anything from a roadster to a cell phone, an airplane interior, a vacuum cleaner or a smart watch. Their process balances the analog method of pen and paper with fully realized digital modeling.

Before the much-needed renovation, the studio space consisted of individual desks and carrels installed on a strict 45 degree angle grid system, a low drop ceiling, no natural light and no project or conference rooms. As a result of the desk layout, collaboration between teams and individuals was completely stifled ,making it almost impossible for two people to work at a desk together.

KDA’s primary task was to develop a workspace that encourages and facilitates collaboration and to design a work environment that meets the standards established by BMW Group DesignworksUSA for sustainability and excellence in design. This meant providing natural light, natural ventilation if possible, renewable materials, recycling services and a layout that encourages collaboration and inspiration.

DesignworksUSA requested that their design process be reflected in the workspace; they wanted all surfaces to be workable to accommodate brainstorming and be non-prejudicial clean slates. Work stations have drop down desks for cooperative sketching, project rooms are clad in Tectum and pin ups can occur on both the inside and outside, revealing skylights hidden under the drop ceiling that allow natural light into the studio. Workstations are positioned in interdisciplinary neighborhoods to encourage the exchange of ideas.

In plan, the studio is oriented towards the large car-sized 3D milling machine in the shop area, which was renovated as part of Phase I. Distinct neighborhoods of flexible workstations were established, and a core of project rooms with pin up space on both the outside and inside rest in the middle of the studio. Their configuration allows the space between them, or town square, to function as a fourth project room. Most importantly, the neighborhoods are non-hierarchical and provide visual connections between the workstation neighborhoods and project rooms. A material library and café are sited on the periphery of the space to encourage co-workers to walk past and be aware of other projects in the studio.