Archroma Lab & Headquarters Relocation

Location

Charlotte, NC

Market Sectors

  • Corporate Interiors
  • Life Sciences
  • Commercial
  • Industrial

Sub Sectors

  • Headquarters
  • Infrastructure - Building/Site Utilities
  • Manufacturing
  • Workplace/Office
  • Flex-Use
  • Laboratory - Biochemical
  • Research & Development

Client

​​Archroma U.S., Inc.​

Partners

  • Progressive Companies
  • Dilweg
  • LandDesign, Inc.
  • Barrett, Woodyard & Associates, Inc.

Sparking innovation with a new headquarters and lab for a specialty chemicals company

A global specialty chemicals company, Archroma is a leading supplier of products and solutions to the textile, paper, adhesives, and coating industries. Looking to upgrade both its office and lab facilities for its North American headquarters in Charlotte, the company relocated to a 31,000 square-foot space in thExchange Office Park – a newly revitalized 14-building campus offering benefits including over 500,000 square feet of amenities and office space and connectivity to the greater Charlotte area with its prime location near I-77.

31,355
Square Feet
Lab Equipment
Migration Plan
Extensive MEP
Upgrades
Headquarters
Relocation
Multi-Phase
Interior Renovation
Exterior
Improvements
​​ ​The extensive equipment migration plan that included evaluating each piece of laboratory equipment to ensure its compatibility with the new lab.​

​​Improving the office experience​ 

This multi-phase renovation included fully demolishing the existing interior to create a single-floor office with new private offices, open workspaces, and breakrooms. A primary goal was to create separation between the office and lab areas and avoid an overly sterile environment. New carpet, fresh paint, and floor-to-ceiling windows helped bring dimension by adding light and warmth throughout. The building also received exterior improvements, including staining, exterior lighting, and a new courtyard patio with a pergola. 

​​Technical upgrades and solutions​ 

​​​Archroma saw this relocation as an opportunity to invest in extensive laboratory upgrades. The new lab features a completely overhauled electrical system and was fitted with new lab hoods, sensitive testing equipment, epoxy counter tops, wash stations and negative pressure areas to accommodate both new and existing equipment. Heavy MEP infrastructure improvements ensured the new space could accommodate the needs of the new lab equipment.  ​​ 

​​Ensuring a smooth migration of lab equipment​ 

​​​One of the most unique and challenging aspects of this project was coordinating the migration of the laboratory equipment. Each piece required careful evaluation to determine the best method of transportation to the new headquarters and was surveyed individually to evaluate its status and functionality, ultimately ensuring the new lab was equipped to support everything. A third-party UL source was brought to evaluate each piece of equipment’s UL standard and update those that needed it to ensure each was approved by the county.​​