Built in 1968, the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC), at 1.7 million square feet, is the largest office campus in Florida. Marcel Breuer and Robert F. Gatje codesigned the buildings of BRiC for IBM, the campus’s first owner. In the 1980s, IBM developed, manufactured, and mass-produced its first personal computer at BRiC.
For his brutalist design, with a façade repeating the same geometric pattern, Breuer took inspiration from the beauty he found in the repetitions of mass production. Designed for Florida’s tropical climate, the building features heavy concrete shading canopies over its glass windows to provide cooling and protection from the sun. The design also provides protection against hurricane damage such as floods.
After purchasing BRiC in 2018, the building’s current owner, CP Group, has been transforming it from a mostly empty office building into a thriving tech campus. Added amenities include restaurants, art galleries, and coffee shops. CP Group also is in the process of rezoning from a light research and industrial park to a planned mobility development, which will expand BRiC to include office, retail, hospitality, and residential. Additionally, CP Group is pursuing a master plan to add retail, townhomes, and an amphitheater—turning the campus into a town center.
Architecture firm CallisonRTKL has used a phased strategy to provide flexibility around the existing tenants and day-to-day operations while pursuing a ground-up enhancement. CallisonRTKL’s work includes the following:
- Increasing the allowable floor area ratio from four to six and upping the maximum allowable development by 1,123,850 square feet
- Reducing the setbacks from 50 feet to 20 feet
- Standardizing office planning metrics
- Scaling the amenities, landscaping, and infrastructure in tandem with the development’s phases
On the Building Team:
Owner and developer: CP Group
Design architects: Marcel Breuer and Robert F. Gatje
Architect of record: CallisonRTKL
Structural engineer: Jezerinac Group
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Apr 25, 2018
Cardiff is home to the new BBC Cymru Wales headquarters
Foster + Partners designed the building.
Office Buildings | Apr 23, 2018
Activity-based design takes precedence in new office projects
The latest report by Ted Moudis Associates also finds more space being allocated for amenities and wellness.
Office Buildings | Apr 19, 2018
From fitness to bowling alleys: How commercial office buildings are differentiating themselves through amenities
Here are five ways that amenities can help developers and building owners attract and secure tenants by appealing to their inhabitants.
Office Buildings | Mar 21, 2018
Yeti’s new global headquarters evokes the outdoors
Gensler designed the new HQ.
Office Buildings | Mar 19, 2018
A cost guide to office fit-outs provides comparisons for 59 markets
The new JLL report also finds landlords offering more generous tenant improvement allowances.
Movers+Shapers | Mar 19, 2018
Movers + Shapers: Tech takeover
From Chicago to Charlotte, the tech boom is transforming urban real estate markets and redefining workplace design.
Office Buildings | Mar 19, 2018
The new office has roots in retail
How retail’s focus on brand authenticity, heritage and education are transforming workplace design.
Office Buildings | Mar 13, 2018
Using workplace data to create connected communities
Workplace data is being put to use by corporate service groups to provide a better employee experience and empower the businesses that are their customers.
Office Buildings | Mar 12, 2018
Sound advice on workplace design
Thoughtful design, paired with a change management program to educate staff, can both enhance connectivity and minimize distractions.
Office Buildings | Mar 6, 2018
C.F. Møller Architects and Arkthing win competition to design Icelandic bank building
Landsbankinn is Iceland’s largest bank.
