Ring Power Corporation Main Office

A h e av y - d u t y

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24633.00 R i n g P o w e r C o rp o r at i o n Tampa, Florida Architecture, Interior Design Sustainable Practice

Ring Power Corporation is the largest Caterpillar dealer in the southeastern United States. Since its founding in 1961, it has grown steadily to become a multimillion dollar business.

But their large regional facility in the Tampa area, housing administrative offices, sales, support and service for Caterpillar equipment, was showing its age and needed a complete renovation.

The client wanted to present an image that was up-to-date and forward-looking, polished but somewhat industrial and a bit formal at the same time. The company’s “Customer First� reputation meant that the new space must appeal to vastly different customer segments, ranging from small, independent contractors needing to rent equipment or find replacement parts to large construction companies negotiating the purchase of huge equipment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Before

The company also does a large international business involving very sophisticated international and high-volume clients. The space had to make this diverse group of customers feel comfortable and also needed to be environmentally sensitive, highly functional and a terrific place to work.

After competing with a number of other architectural firms, GS&P was awarded the job. The design team proceeded to gut the 32,000-squarefoot building, down to the bare tilt-up exterior walls and concrete floors. Dry wall disappeared.

Electrical systems, fire protection and plumbing were torn out. When the demolition was complete, it was, according to principal-in-charge Jacqueline Russo, IIDA, like starting over with a brand-new building.

Beginning with the exterior, windows were punched in the old walls to bring in natural light and views. A new canopy was designed for the entrance and aluminum awnings were added to the exterior to filter sunlight but remain unobtrusive.

The new lobby, the first thing customers at every level see, presents a sophisticated, high-tech image

Before

with quality finishes while not looking, in Russo’s words, “like a bank.� Exposed ceiling girders lend an industrial quality to the lobby. Retail space occupies part of this area as well, selling hats, shirts and other logo items that have a down-to-earth appeal.

A training center in the old building was antiquated and small, holding only about 20 people.

Now it is more like a theater, more functional and equipped with the latest in audio/visual technology. The space can hold several dozen people assembled for employee training, equipment demonstrations or company conferences.

Nearby, there is a more private waiting area for customers who will meet with sales representatives and executives. In an adjacent corridor, the design team created a history wall that follows the timeline of the company and its founders, the Ringhaver family. Small meeting rooms and a large conference room are in this area as well.

Before

Before

Finishes in the facility are of high quality materials, rich and sophisticated to the eye, but easy to maintain and inexpensive. Workstations were designed with efficiency and future flexibility in mind. Organized around central supply areas, the stations don’t need to hold large quantities of supplies or printers and fax machines and thus are slightly smaller than traditional workstations.

Through an indirect lighting system, employees can choose the level of light they want. The addition of natural light and pleasant views from the new windows provides various lighting levels, reduces the need for intense lighting and helps save energy.

It was a complex job, according to Russo, involving very detailed programming and design development. In the end, she is proud to have delivered exactly what the client requested: a highly designed, highly functional new facility that has boosted employee confidence in Ring Power and, in turn, the confidence of all their customers. â–

“…a very positive workplace that everyone enjoys. Our clients and vendors have all…made positive comments regarding our changes.”

— Tommy Ball Vice President and Regional Sales Manager

Gresham, Smith and Partners provides design and consulting solutions for the built environment that contribute to the success of national and international clients. For more than 40 years, GS&P has focused on enhancing quality of life and sustainability within communities. GS&P consists of industry-leading professionals practicing architecture and engineering design as well as scientists and highly specialized planning and strategic consultants in Environmental Compliance, Aviation, Corporate and Urban Design, Healthcare, Industrial, Land Planning, Transportation and Water Services. GS&P consistently ranks among the top architecture and engineering firms in the United States. For more information regarding GS&P, visit www.gspnet.com.

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