AES – US Smart Operations Center

Project Narrative

This adaptive reuse of a 1980’s building brought to life a first-of-its-kind US Smart Operations Center and modern workplace inclusive of social gathering and event spaces to encourage emerging thought and innovation. Using leading-edge technology, the US Smart Operations Center will utilize data to increase the efficiency of the corporation’s electric operations. This facility will also employ and integrate a Performance Monitoring and Analytics Center and Remote Operations and Control Center for monitoring and controlling US-based generation assets. These dedicated spaces are critical as the company intensifies its reliance on performance data and smart grid technologies. The interior aesthetic was inspired by and took direction from the modern graphics and brand color story released by AES in 2020.
The interior design strategy purposefully softened the existing hard, formal, rectilinear edges of the existing facility by using curvilinear interior elements and green wall accents. The lowest level of the facility was activated by creating large team spaces, a new gathering stair, digital hubs, and an innovation lab, resulting in a dynamic workplace for fostering collaboration and a showcase of innovative technologies. Internally-lit vertical acrylic structures within each pod or neighborhood were added to accentuate the existing atrium spaces as well as anchor touchdown areas for mobile employees. Graphic gestures and imagery are integrated throughout the facility to showcase how the client is sustainably improving the lives of their customers regionally and worldwide.

                                           

Project Details

Submission Category

Interior Architecture- Large Scale (>5,000 sf)

Date of Completion

April, 2021