Kia's corporate campus honored with "Good Design is Good Business" award by Architectural Record

Custom-Built Facilities for the Fastest-Growing Auto Brand in the U.S. Recognized for Contribution to Quality-of-Life, Community Outreach and Sustainability

• Kia is one of eight companies to receive a 2012 "Good Design is Good Business Award" celebrating architecture as a vehicle to enhance a company's bottom line
• The 21.7 acre Kia corporate campus – a $130-million investment – was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, the first firm to receive Architectural Record's Good Design is Good Business Lifetime Achievement Award

Kia Motors America (KMA), the fastest-growing car company in the United States¹, celebrates another prestigious architectural accolade, as the KMA Corporate Headquarters and state-of-the-art Kia Design Center America (KDCA) in Irvine, California have been honored with the "Good Design is Good Business Award" by Architectural Record. In its 15th year, the award celebrates architecture as a vehicle to enhance the company's bottom line and the architect/client collaborations responsible for them that prioritize quality of life, community outreach and sustainability to achieve their goals. Judging parameters included sustainability, work environment, employee recruitment, retention, performance and productivity, branding, culture, development of new work tools, and space for amenities like exercise facilities. As part of the honor, Kia's corporate campus will be featured in the May issue of Architectural Record.

Representing a total investment of $130 million, the 21.7 acre campus was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP. The 239,000-square-foot modern glass and steel main structure features two administrative office and research buildings connected by an expansive entry and vehicle display area topped by executive offices. Other common spaces are organized around the light-filled public space that links the entry to a 36,000 square-foot reflecting pool and views to the hills beyond. The state-of-the-art, 100,700-square-foot U.S. design center features a covered entry and extensive design and modeling studios, workshops and presentation rooms. Both buildings are integrated with landscaping and parking areas to create a cohesive campus prominently visible to drivers on the adjacent Interstate 5.

KMA was one of the first companies in Irvine to voluntarily install an eco-friendly bioswale system in its parking lot to remove silt and pollution from surface water runoff. The landscaping features drought-resistant plants, and reclaimed water is used for landscaping irrigation and toilets. SOM provided full-service architecture and interior design. The team also included Nabih Youssef, structural engineers; MEP engineers; Tom Leader, Landscape architect, and PBQA, lighting designers. The property is managed by RiverRock Real Estate Group, Inc.

"As the fastest growing automotive brand in the U.S. Kia is committed to providing cutting-edge vehicles with world-class design, and our Corporate Headquarters and Design Center reflect that same philosophy," said John Yoon, vice president of human resources/administration and general counsel, KMA. "The corporate campus symbolizes innovation through leading architectural design, as well as Kia's ongoing commitment to the U.S. market, which has led to our record-breaking sales and market share increases."

The campus also features a state-of-the-art workout facility with the latest equipment and with exercise classes offered to employees during the day, as well as an on-site cafeteria and lunchroom. The Multi-purpose room found in the lobby area also is available to community groups as a meeting or event function space when not in use by KMA.

KMA and KDCA previously were recognized with "The Outstanding Building of the Year" (TOBY) award for corporate facility from the Orange County chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), an Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Architects' Orange County chapter (AIAOC), and also recognized on the 2009 International Architecture Awards List, presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd.

Exemplifying "Good Design is Good Business," Kia's U.S. sales are up 31.8 percent year-to-date, while March marked the brand's 19th straight monthly sales record with 80 percent of sales in March, including vehicles that achieve more than 30 highway miles per gallon².

"Kia Motors' U.S. corporate campus proves that thoughtful, rational design can be a powerful engine for business growth and talent retention," said Brian Lee, Design Partner, SOM. "The project exemplifies SOM's commitment to provide our clients with high-performance design that adds value to their brand and expresses their corporate identity."

Architecture and design has become a top priority for leaders of business and industry looking to rebrand, boost productivity, and attract customers. The Architectural Record Good Design is Good Business (GDGB) Awards program honors the architects and clients who best utilize design to achieve such strategic objectives. For more information, visit: Architectural Record.

1 Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending March 2007 and March 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.
2 EPA Estimated. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, and your vehicle's condition.

Article courtesy fo Kia Media.