New Indiana Toll Road headquarters creates unified environment for staff

The 25,000-sf Indiana Toll Road Administrative and Operations Building is the epicenter for 157 miles of toll road monitoring, maintenance, and administration.

Having previously operated out of a maintenance garage, the client sought to consolidate its administrative functions into one building that would improve the efficiency of its operations and the work environment of its employees.

The new LEED Gold facility features open office seating and a large control room to monitor road conditions and roadway accidents. A central, two-story atrium functions
as the building’s hearth both programmatically as the primary amenity and gathering space, and performatively as a warm winter solarium and shaded collaboration space in the summer.

Atrium at the new Indiana Toll Road headquarters provides space for employees to relax. Photo: Courtesy SmithGroup

SMITHGROUP LEADS INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAM

SmithGroup (architect, interior designer, civil engineer, landscape architect) led the functionally integrated team of TGWRA (structural engineer), Primera Engineers (MEP), Baumann Consulting (commissioning), and HJ Kessler (LEED consultant).

The atrium prioritizes employee well-being by bringing natural light into the floorplate. Ample reflective materials create bright spaces free of glare.

A mix of open collaborative zones, lounge areas, meeting rooms, standing desks, and bench seating offer options for both collaborative and individual work.

A large central stair with sculptural detailing and warm wood accents creates an informal gathering area.

Summer section shows environmental considerations that went into LEED Gold certification. Image: SmithGroup

Winter section for solarium and office areas with environmental components. Image: SmithGroup

CAREFUL ATTENTION TO NATURAL SETTING

The facility lies in a young woodland site, with sprawling grasses and mid-density trees surrounded by a toll road clover loop. The project team left 80% of the site untouched, but excavated the site to create water basins and sculpted landforms. The result: a naturalized landscape that holds water onsite and requires no additional irrigation.

A gravel pedestrian path meanders through the site, and photovoltaic solar panels generate more than 40% of the building’s energy needs.

Employees also have access to an indoor workout room and a second-story terrace.