Located within an existing former Dayton Power & Light site, the new facility is the first of its kind in the United States and was designed to attract and retain engineers and data scientists from Montgomery County and the surrounding region.
Champlin Architecture partnered with Miller-Valentine to design and manage the renovation of the brand-new AES Ohio Smart Operations Center in Dayton, Ohio. Located within an existing former Dayton Power & Light site, the new facility is the first of its kind in the United States and was designed to attract and retain engineers and data scientists from Montgomery County and the surrounding region.
The existing, rectangular building was softened and made more welcoming by using curved interior designs and living/green wall accents throughout the building. A large gathering space on the lower level connects to several digital hubs, including an innovation lab. The innovation lab utilizes advanced technologies and includes a large workplace for employee collaboration and communication. The lower level also includes an updated employee café/breakroom with an abundance of natural light infiltrating the space to provide a recharging and relaxing environment for employees.
The open and brightly lit lobby space is punctuated by a communicating stair leading to the upper level of the building that houses employee workspaces and “pods” throughout the entire level. Each “pod” of the facility includes an atrium space that is highlighted by internally lit vertical elements and touchdown areas for visiting employees.
Branded graphics that were developed through a color study conducted by AES Ohio are showcased throughout the facility and tell the story of how the organization is improving the lives of their customers and creating a connection with employees utilizing the space.
