Pearl Izumi

Sited on an eight-acre site at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the American corporate headquarters for one of the world’s leading outdoor gear and clothing manufacturers was originally architecturally designed to meet The Living Building Challenge. The Design Barn takes its cues from the metal agricultural buildings of the rural eastern Colorado landscape and the high-performance outerwear the company is famous for. The building rebuilds the hillside, set in it, not on it. The building’s location, shaped design aiming to contrast that of a traditional corporate office park. Its low-profile structure nudges into the gentle slope of the prairie landscape. The Flatirons inspired the building’s roofline mimicking their dramatic angles. Reclaimed snow fencing is featured at the entry, while recycled sheet steel wraps the building. These materials, in conjunction with concrete, lend the building a tactile and contextual response to its Rocky Mountain setting with the naturally weathering exterior shaped by the forces of wind, sun, and snow.

A minimal palette combines with a highly visual architecture form to create a low-impact, sustainable development. The project takes advantage of passive cooling techniques, a super insulated SIP construction, passive solar orientation, water conservation, and daylighting controls to provide a healthy, responsive workplace. The programming of the building allows for a highly collaborative design process and an efficient production model. Departments spatially overlap and are in visual proximity. A conscious effort is made to provide outdoor views from every workstation and office.

Amenities include bike storage, locker rooms with showers, a yoga and fitness center, a kitchen, and a generous employee lounge. This commercial architecture project also set new reduced parking and xeric landscape standards. This healthy workplace improved employee retention, and absentee rates, while acting as an important recruiting tool.

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