Nu Skin Innovation Center Location: Provo, Utah Lot Size: 435,600 GSF Building Size: 168,000 GSF Project Type: Commercial LEED Gold Certified
The Nu Skin Innovation Center transforms Nu Skin Enterprises corporate headquarters in Provo, Utah, into an inspiring new campus that reflects the modern sensibilities of a global company. This 170,000 square foot facility houses new research laboratories, conference spaces, two cafés, a retail storefront, a fitness center, three floors of executive offices and a data center in a series of elegant, light-filled spaces that reflect the aspirational qualities of the Nu Skin brand and its extraordinary line of products. The Innovation Center is comprised of three primary elements: a three-story building to the north that responds to the scale of Provo s historic Center Street; a six-story building to the south; and a four-story atrium linking the new buildings to each other and to the existing Nu Skin office tower. The atrium is the heart of the new campus, acting as a glazed spine and entry hall designed to host thousands of people from around the world and to accommodate multiple activities and events concurrently. Visitors and employees enter the atrium through a transparent, glazed volume between the existing Nu Skin office tower and the new office buildings that visually connects the north and south sides of the campus. This axis forms a red carpet a processional experience heightened by the extension of stone paving from interior to exterior. At the entrance, a solid granite fountain and sculpted marble reception desk greet visitors to the space. Further west, telescoping glass walls open to a 500-seat meeting room and offer views of a newly designed garden and the Nu Skin campus to the south. Across from the meeting room, a dramatic steel and glass staircase draws visitors and staff up to the data center, laboratory and office levels that are connected by circulation paths bridging across the space. Underneath the stair, a cantilevered concrete slab marks the entry to an auditorium space clad in maple wall and ceiling panels to create a warm, inviting interior. A café at the west end of the space affords views of Center Street, linking the atrium with the outdoors. Above the atrium, glass conference rooms cantilever into the space and a gently curving ceiling of translucent glass is suspended below the sky lit roof, mitigating the intense Utah sunlight and softening the interior. The exterior of the Innovation Center is composed of sleek, transparent volumes anchored by crisp, aluminum-clad core spaces. Delicate sunshades along the south elevation of the entry hall and offices shade the interior spaces from direct sunlight while framing views of the nearby Wasatch Mountains. Slender steel columns support a gracious canopy on the south elevation that extends the interior spaces into the landscape, while providing shade and protection during inclement weather. Crowning the south building is an airfoil-shaped mechanical penthouse, a nod to the barrel-vaulted forms of the original Nu Skin tower. The Innovation Center is certified LEED Gold for sustainability. The use of iconic forms, transparent materials and generous gathering spaces at the Nu Skin Innovation Center symbolizes Nu Skin s commitment to a successful and sustainable workplace.
The existing building was adjacent to an above-grade parking structure and the neighboring site for the new building contained a one-story research facility, a three-story commercial building, and a surface parking lot. Replacing these outdated structures, the new Innovation Center is a focal point of activity, with porches, terraces and plazas surrounding a new campus green space. Before
Atrium Interior Elevation - North Atrium Interior Elevation - South The atrium is the heart of the campus, forming a glazed spine linking the existing Nu Skin office tower with the Innovation Center program.
Glass meeting rooms cantilever into the atrium, offering the occupants glimpses of the activity below. A curving ceiling of translucent glass is suspended below the sky lit roof, mitigating the intense Utah sunlight and softening the interior space.
The building seems to make everyone feel more excited and proud to work for Nu Skin. I watched the employees gather around different features in the building and discuss the exceptional design. The first event in the Innovation Center was a great success...and your building was the shining star. Charles Allen Vice-President for Adminstrative Services
A shimmering canopy and slender columns mark the entrance to the retail and demonstration space along historic Center Street. Inside, Nu Skin s products are displayed within a glowing glass wall and custom display cases.
The massing of the Innovation Center steps down along historic Center Street to respect the scale of the existing two and three-story buildings. The sleek forms and transparent volumes fit sensitively into the neighborhood context.