After 30 years in their Birmingham headquarters, Vulcan Materials, the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregate, chose renovation over relocation. Vulcan aimed to create a modern, healthy work environment for employees returning to the office, partnering once again with Williams Blackstock Architects (WBA) for the significant architectural redesign of their 187,000 square foot, six-floor office space.
Business Interiors, in partnership with MillerKnoll, proudly worked with Vulcan and WBA to provide the furnishings solutions for this transformation. Vulcan Materials clearly defined the goals for the renovation: a complete office overhaul, including all new furnishings; redesigned workstations with lower panels, upgraded storage, and enhanced ergonomics; a variety of meeting areas to accommodate diverse work styles; and a sit-stand workstation or desk for every employee.
Designing the Modern Workplace
Working closely with WBA, BI helped achieve Vulcan’s vision. The architecture and interior design embraced biophilic principles, maximizing natural light and exterior views. Open floor plans and glass-lined offices achieved this goal. The renovation successfully opened up the office, creating longer sightlines from the building’s core to the windows. This transformed both private and shared workspaces.
Vulcan modernized workstations for the post-COVID era, featuring lower panels, upgraded storage, and enhanced ergonomics. They redesigned private offices, and the team added numerous collaborative and meeting spaces, including centralized café and lounge areas. MillerKnoll was a key partner in providing furniture solutions, with their brands comprising nearly 90% of the project’s furnishings.
Identity, Durability, and Sustainability
The design also prioritized creating a visually and culturally rich environment. Natural materials like concrete and stone reflect Vulcan’s identity, simultaneously fostering collaboration and connection. Strong imagery and graphics from Vulcan’s quarries around the world appear throughout the building, celebrating the company’s culture, employees, and history. The project incorporated current design trends regarding function and finish, but it prioritized the long-term durability of both the style and the furnishings themselves, ensuring they would remain relevant and functional for the next three decades.
Beyond the new additions, Business Interiors also addressed the challenge of managing six floors of 30-year-old furniture. Business Interiors and MillerKnoll implemented a comprehensive furniture removal plan, achieving an impressive 97% landfill diversion rate. They successfully donated the majority of the furniture to numerous local charities, nonprofits, and civic organizations.
This project reflects Vulcan Materials’ commitment to providing an elevated workplace experience for their employees. We are honored to have been a part of this significant project.
Photography by: Luker Photography
