Fender Musical Instruments

Scottsdale, Arizona

– Type: Corporate Headquarters
– Square Footage: 55,000 sf
– Services Provided: Interior Architecture

The aesthetic representation of the Fender’s unique image (past, present and future) was a main focus. The central core unit is a Candy Apple Red (Fender’s signature product color for fifty years) curved structure reminiscent of the shape of a guitar. Lit display cabinets that showcase a revolving array of products from guitars to amplifiers flank the core along with a transparent glass mural with a similar guitar shape and strings forms the backdrop for the receptionist.

The business operations included very disparate functions ranging from Research and Development to Finance. The environment required the departments to interface while maintaining a separate presence. To execute this successfully, the space was dissected with a central core unit housing common functions (Reception, Breakroom, Soundrooms, Restrooms) with the intent that although each department would retreat into their respective areas, they would also converge at various times of the day in the central core.

Acoustics were also a critical issue with the soundroom designed as a central feature without sound transmitted unreasonably throughout the space. DAVIS was fortunate that the new facility was a ground-up project with the slabs poured separately from the main slab of the building. The interior partitions of the soundrooms are disengaged from the exterior partitions of the rooms and the HVAC was designed to penetrate vertically from the roof directly to the room.

Awards:
– 2002 IIDA PRIDE Award – Designer’s Choice Award