Steelcase Pyramid

Hello again!

Following a relatively inactive summer – except for the one successful explore from the last post – college was once again in full swing which meant exploring was also once again in full swing. I don’t remember if it was at the tail end of the summer or the very beginning of the fall semester, but Jake shot me a text one day with a new location that had been empty for five years.

Temple

This interesting structure was owned and occupied by Steelcase Inc., an office furniture manufacturer, from its construction in 1989 until 2010 when losses from the recession forced them to move to a smaller building. In 2010, Norman Properties bought the building and began to market it through the real estate company Colliers International.

Facade

Since this building is not truly abandoned – Norman Properties keeps several guys on staff to run the systems within the building – we took the high route and contacted the company to see if we could arrange a tour. Much to our surprise, they took us up on the offer and a few weeks later, on an off-day, we day-tripped to the western side of the state to see what this modern temple to the office gods had to offer.

The first space we saw was the atrium which features a spherical compound pendulum. The pendulum used to swing over the top of a water feature but that was drained once Steelcase left.
The first space we saw was the atrium which features a spherical compound pendulum. The pendulum used to swing over the top of a water feature but that was drained once Steelcase left.
The ceiling of the atrium surrounding the opening for the pendulum.
The ceiling of the atrium surrounding the opening for the pendulum.
Looking up to level four from the atrium. The building's open design allowed for large amounts of daylight to reach all the way down into the center of the building.
Looking up to the fourth floor from the atrium. The building’s open design allows for large amounts of daylight to reach all the way down into the center of the building.
Our next stop was the basement which housed the many testing rooms and photography areas. This is one of the lighting arrays that was suspended from the ceiling in one such area.
Our next stop was the basement which houses the many testing rooms and photography areas. This is one of the lighting arrays that is suspended from the ceiling in one such area.
There were many skylights on the lower levels as well, allowing daylight to reach underground into the testing areas.
There are many skylights on the lower levels as well, allowing daylight to reach underground into the testing areas.
This was a soundproof room on the lower level. Not sure why they had to test office furniture's reaction to sound...
This is a soundproof room on the lower level. Not sure why they had to test office furniture’s reaction to sound…
This room had adjustable ceilings so they could test how the furniture looked with different ceiling heights.
This room has adjustable ceilings so they could test how the furniture looked with different ceiling heights.
A 5-ton crane in one of the lower level rooms near the loading bay.
A 5-ton crane in one of the lower level rooms near the loading bay.
The mechanical rooms were also located on the lower level. These are a few of the water pumps that serviced the building.
The mechanical rooms are also located on the lower level. These are a few of the water pumps that service the building.
A few more pumps in the mechanical room.
A few more pumps in the mechanical room.
Water pipes on the ceiling of the mechanical room.
Water pipes on the ceiling of the mechanical room.
The "tunnel" from on of the mechanical rooms to another. I swear, every building has a tunnel like this.
The “tunnel” from on of the mechanical rooms to another. I swear, every building has a tunnel like this.
In a more secluded mechanical room there were three diesel generators which allowed the building to operate entirely under its own power.
In a more secluded mechanical room there are three diesel generators which allow the building to operate entirely under its own power.
Close-up of the various gauges on the generators.
Close-up of the various gauges on the generators.
Outside of the generator room, there were several massive mufflers as well as a few other exhaust pipes.
Outside of the generator room, there are several massive mufflers as well as a few other exhaust pipes.
A small room off of one of the mechanical rooms contained hundreds of plans for the building. Here, multiple floor plans were laid our on a table.
A small room off of one of the mechanical rooms contains hundreds of plans for the building. Here, multiple floor plans were laid out on a table.
Packets of drawings were hanging from these horizontal hangers. Seen here is a detailed section drawing of the building's facade.
Packets of drawings were hanging from these horizontal hangers. Seen here is a detailed section drawing of the building’s facade.
We then took the elevator up to the sixth floor. This view is through the glass doors towards the center of the floor. Most of the executive offices and conference rooms were on this floor.
We then took the elevator up to the sixth floor. This view is through the glass doors towards the center of the floor. Most of the executive offices and conference rooms are on this floor.
We then traveled down, one floor at a time. Looking up at the sixth floor from the fifth floor reveals how open the floor plan was, allowing for copious amounts of daylight to enter the building.
We then traveled down, one floor at a time. Looking up at the sixth floor from the fifth floor further reveals how open the floor plan is, allowing for copious amounts of daylight to enter the building.
Looking down into the atrium from the fourth floor.
Looking down into the atrium from the fourth floor.
Another look at daylight entering the building.
Another look at daylight entering the building.
This was the typical spatial layout of the upper floors. There probably used to be cubicles filling this entire area.
This is the typical spatial layout of the upper floors. There probably used to be cubicles filling this entire area.
The central space of the middle levels was slightly different and contained multiple conference rooms and offices. For being built in the late 80s, the space was incredibly modern.
The central space of the middle levels is slightly different and contains multiple conference rooms and offices. For being built in the late 80s, the space is incredibly modern.
Looking down two sets of escalators, neither of which worked.
Looking down two sets of escalators, neither of which worked.

After bidding our guides farewell and thanking them for the opportunity to explore one of the most interesting structures we had ever seen, we finished up with lunch, a stop at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and a drive by the Frank Lloyd Wright designed May House. Altogether, it was an extremely successful day!

The closing from the last post still applies in that I am still editing photos so stay tuned for more posts, and as always, stay adventurous!

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