Leading innovation in the Lowcountry
Originally a timber farm, the Volvo Ridgeville Campus combines multiple buildings to create an all-in-one experience for technology, innovation, and education.
Location
Ridgeville, South Carolina
Client
Berkeley County Government
Volvo
Project Type
Key Partners
- Albert Kahn Associates
- Camp Hall
- LS3P Associates LTD
- McMillan Pazdan Smith Architects
Awards & Certifications
- LEED Gold
- USGBC Carolinas Leadership Award, Advancing Sustainable Technologies Project, 2022
Confidential
CONTRACT VALUE
18 months
SCHEDULE
157,000
SQUARE FEET
2021
YEAR COMPLETED
5,300+
SQUARE FEET OF SOLAR PANELS
Client Goals
Volvo selected Ridgeville for its prime location as it sits between the large industrial areas of South Carolina and the port city of Charleston, the perfect spot for manufacturing and innovation.
Design Vision
Brand consistency throughout the campus is a priority for Volvo and it was achieved through highlighting form, function, and efficiency in the design.
Construction Focus
With stakeholders across the globe, HITT focused on ensuring every feature of this large campus was built properly the first time. We utilized multiple construction management platforms to coordinate across trades and make the close-out process more efficient.
Chilled Beams
To keep consistent with their other buildings worldwide, Volvo wanted this campus to be both quiet and efficient—something not typically found in manufacturing. They decided to use chilled beams to cool their building—a system typically used in European facilities—as an alternative to typical HVAC systems. The system includes a heat exchanger with hot- and cold-water sources that allow the building to be heated and cooled.
Environmental Aspects
There are wood features and green walls throughout the campus in alignment with the simple, yet clean brand. HITT worked with Garden on the Wall, a vertical garden installer, to install multiple green walls and aid in brand consistency.
Video Wall
HITT installed a large video wall in the Training Center building which is used to train Volvo dealerships on how to sell their brand. This element was featured on multiple news outlets when highlighting the innovation of the training center.
HITT worked tirelessly to ensure the projects achieved Volvo's European quality standards despite pricing challenges. The team offered value engineering solutions that saved more than $1 million for Project Jakob and more than $3M for Project Bil. By acting as a trusted advisor, HITT ensured the successful delivery of the projects within budget.
Unique Challenges, Smart Solutions
Ambitious projects require carefully constructed solutions.
Challenge #1
Due to the pandemic and global travel restrictions, Volvo’s service workers were not able to be onsite, which impacted project closeout.
Solution
Volvo entrusted HITT to onboard new service workers to ensure successful project close-out in their absence.
Challenge #2
Volvo specified Swegon air handlers for the project, but after placing the order, it was discovered that the energy recovery wheel was not Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) listed.
Solution
HITT worked with Underwriters’ Laboratories, submitting multiple documents to obtain approval for the air handler. The entire process took more than six months.
Challenge #3
Volvo uses cutting-edge fire safety systems in their facilities. The fire-rated, insulated metal panels and roofing requested by the client were five times more expensive than the original proposed items causing budget concerns.
Solution
HITT identified an alternate system with similar performance ratings at a significantly lower cost. This gave Volvo confidence in employee safety while also saving the project money.
Sustainability
The facility is a premier example of sustainability featuring solar panels, EV chargers, and an intricate “pond-fed” irrigation system.
Robotics
The facility features a technologically-focused foundation for robotic simulations to create a simulated working experience for Volvo employees.
The Results
A flagship US headquarters for Volvo with multiple stakeholders required intricate planning, constant collaboration, and a shared vision every step of the way.
The campus is used to train all US-based Volvo employees on the procedures and processes of working at Volvo.
Wooden elements were featured throughout the space to align with Volvo’s brand and aesthetic history.
A simulated work environment (SWE) allows employee trainings to be even more interactive and connected.
With options for growth and expansion, this large campus currently features three distinct buildings centered around a stunning water feature.
Key Team Members
News & Insights
Let's chat.
Work With HITT
Learn More