Projects by Name

IBM was so pleased with the Research Center Breuer had designed for them in La Gaude, France, that his firm was the natural choice when the company decided to building an administrative, laboratory and manufacturing facility near Boca Raton, Florida. Phases I and II (1968-1970) included manufacturing and warehouse facilities as well as the double Y-form administrative and laboratory wings modeled on Breuer and Gatje’s design for La Gaude. Phase III (1969-1972) and subsequent development was largely focused on additional administrative and manufacturing facilities. Like the earlier research center, the administrative and laboratory wing in Florida is constructed of modular pre-cast concrete panels raised on pilotis, although these separate into only two branches, rather than three, where they meet the upper floors. The concrete fins shading the windows from the sun are also slightly different. At La Gaude, the fins are of equal depth along almost the entire height of the façade. At Boca Raton, the fins taper above and below the second story. The plan reveals that most of the wings contained central laboratory spaces sandwiched between two corridors with rows of offices along the outside to take advantage of the natural light.