Chrysler Headquarters and Technology Center

The Chrysler Headquarters and Technology Center is the North American headquarters and main research and development facility for the automobile manufacturer FCA US LLC in the United States. It is located in the Metro Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Completed in 1996, the complex has 5300000sqft on 504acre located near Interstate 75.DesignCRSS Architects designed the Chrysler Technology Center in a cross-axial formation where its elongated atrium topped concourses converge with an octagonal radiant skylight at its center. The rounded-off exterior corners are meant to evoke a polished car body. It was reported on an NPR game-show that according to a Businessweek article, the Chrysler headquarters was designed so that it could be converted to a shopping mall. It was later reported, based on mall industry analysis and speculation from local real estate investors, that the mall design story was a hoax. Chrysler also has executive offices at the landmark Chrysler House in downtown Detroit.The facility includes a full laboratory level with various wind tunnels, 1.8 mile evaluation road, noise/vibration facility, electromagnetic compatibility center, environmental test center (able to create rain, snow, and extreme temperatures), pilot production plant, and wind tunnel with thermal testing capability. A 57,000 square foot training center was included from the start, with a teleconferencing center and fitness center. The basement hallways are large enough for two cars to pass each other, allowing some testing within the building; and the test cells have their own separate foundation, to avoid vibrating the rest of the complex.