Ford Headquarters tour with Daily Detroit - Employee Spaces + Showroom

Daily Detroit was kind enough to invite me to tour Ford’s new headquarters building in Dearborn to document the monumental structure and then discuss the experience on the podcast. If you don’t already follow Daily Detroit I suggest subscribing or joining their Patreon. Independent journalism is more important than ever and Daily Detroit is a great resource for what is happening in Metro-Detroit on a broad scope of topics and doesn’t skimp on details and nuance. You can listen to my interview HERE or search wherever you get your podcasts.

Ford is really making a statement with this new headquarters. It is emphatically pointing in the direction that the company wants to go with a forward and thoughtful design. The architect’s behind this building are the Norwegian firm Snohetta. As an architecture buff Snohetta has been on my radar for a long time as I am a fan of their style of thoughtful minimalism. Within this structure you will see choices that are very reminiscent of the work they would produce with some of their museum or opera house commissions. I really enjoyed wandering this building with my camera and honestly couple probably spend a week in there documenting the different spaces and details. I hope these images can give you a feel for the design and care that both Snohetta and Ford have put into creating an incredible modern workplace.

Much like the exterior, the interior of this building is a departure from the Ford offices of the past. The design offers many types of seating and spaces, from couches to types of tables and seating that you would liken more to a coffee shop than corporate headquarters. The idea is to promote collaboration and break down some of the silos of the past to benefit the company and enhance the worker experience. As someone who works from home I kept thinking about how much I would love to come here to edit and that is the point. Work from home has become the norm for Corporate American and employees are resistant to give that up. Building spaces like this however are how you combat that and bring workers back in house.

The following images are of different collaborative workspaces for employees.

The next batch of images focus on the cafeteria and the seating areas that support it.

The final set of images are from the showroom that exists within the headquarters. It is a stunning way to display cars and was the last stop on our tour.


Ford Headquarters tour with Daily Detroit - Entryways + Art

Daily Detroit was kind enough to invite me to tour Ford’s new headquarters building in Dearborn to document the monumental structure and then discuss the experience on the podcast. If you don’t already follow Daily Detroit I suggest subscribing or joining their Patreon. Independent journalism is more important than ever and Daily Detroit is a great resource for what is happening in Metro-Detroit on a broad scope of topics and doesn’t skimp on details and nuance. You can listen to my interview HERE or search wherever you get your podcasts.

Ford is really making a statement with this new headquarters. It is emphatically pointing in the direction that the company wants to go with a forward and thoughtful design. The architect’s behind this building are the Norwegian firm Snohetta. As an architecture buff Snohetta has been on my radar for a long time as I am a fan of their style of thoughtful minimalism. Within this structure you will see choices that are very reminiscent of the work they would produce with some of their museum or opera house commissions. I really enjoyed wandering this building with my camera and honestly couple probably spend a week in there documenting the different spaces and details. I hope these images can give you a feel for the design and care that both Snohetta and Ford have put into creating an incredible modern workplace.

When you enter the headquarters you are given a taste of what is to come. The space is filled with light with a grand stairway that leads you to the employee areas of the building. While you wait though you are given several options for seating as well as art to enjoy. The art in the building is a mix of works made in house with an automotive nod, to those that are beautiful and simply enhance the spaces they inhabit. Other pieces throughout the building are drawings or pictures that reflect on Ford’s rich history of design, my favorite being the drawings of old concept cars. To further soften the modern design there is white oak throughout and furniture that invites you to sit on it.

Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the employee entrance to the facility.

Ford Headquarters tour with Daily Detroit - The Exterior

Daily Detroit was kind enough to invite me to tour Ford’s new headquarters building in Dearborn to document the monumental structure and then discuss the experience on the podcast. If you don’t already follow Daily Detroit I suggest subscribing or joining their Patreon. Independent journalism is more important than ever and Daily Detroit is a great resource for what is happening in Metro-Detroit on a broad scope of topics and doesn’t skimp on details and nuance. You can listen to my interview HERE or search wherever you get your podcasts.

Ford is really making a statement with this new headquarters. It is emphatically pointing in the direction that the company wants to go with a forward and thoughtful design. The architect’s behind this building are the Norwegian firm Snohetta. As an architecture buff Snohetta has been on my radar for a long time as I am a fan of their style of thoughtful minimalism. Within this structure you will see choices that are very reminiscent of the work they would produce with some of their museum or opera house commissions. I really enjoyed wandering this building with my camera and honestly couple probably spend a week in there documenting the different spaces and details. I hope these images can give you a feel for the design and care that both Snohetta and Ford have put into creating an incredible modern workplace.

There is no better place to start than with what greets you as you approach the building… the exterior facade. This is a departure to the “Glass House” which is Ford’s previous headquarters and which is a great example of mid-century architecture. That building is linear and a rectangle, where Snohetta’s design allows for different views and angles of the outside due to its swooping facade. It adds visual interest but also makes for a far more interesting experience for the employees inside.

Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the facade as you approach from Oakwood Boulevard.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows column details and woodwork.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows one of the interesting window details of the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows an interesting angle of the glass facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows different curved elements of the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows different massing within the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the sun hitting the curved facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows two curved windows protruding from the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows some of the different aspects of the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows an underneath view of the curved facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows different layers to the facade and how they merge.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows where guests would enter the enormous building.

In a nod to Ford’s past, the architects kept the old archways that you would drive through to reach the Engineering and Research building. These were integrated into the landscape design and are a nice reminder of the history of the company and land that the new building resides on. I am looking forward to seeing how this landscaping and grounds look in the spring and summer. It is yet another delightful perk to this facility.

Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the plaque for the research and engineering center.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the wrought iron historic gate.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the historic gate with the new facade in the background.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows some detailing of the grounds where a pathway crosses water management.

Canada 2024 - Montreal III

In October of 2024 I took a road trip through Canada with stops in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. Although I have visited Windsor many times in recent years, I had not been to Toronto since middle school and I had never visited either Montreal or Quebec City. Naturally many of the things I wanted to see were architecturally significant, but I wanted to walk around and just experience these places as best as I could in the short amount of time I was visiting. Six days wasn’t nearly enough time but I did my best to see as much as I could. These images represent my favorites from my short romp.

This post includes images walking around Montreal and what I saw with my lens.

Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows the skywalk at the Maestria Condominiums designed by Lemay.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows a sculpture at the Place des Arts in Montreal.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows the tower of the Maestria Condominiums designed by Lemay Architects.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows the facade of an educational building designed by Provencher Roy Architects.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows a cityscape scene at Phillips Square.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows a random cityscape while walking.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows reflected light striking a municipal building.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows a facade detail at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows the Leonard Cohen mural peaking from behind the facade at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows interesting light hitting some facades.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows a brightly painted facade.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows architectural detailing on a building designed by Provencher Roy.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows the building mass of the Maestria Condominiums designed by Lemay Architects.

Canada 2024 - Montreal II

In October of 2024 I took a road trip through Canada with stops in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City. Although I have visited Windsor many times in recent years, I had not been to Toronto since middle school and I had never visited either Montreal or Quebec City. Naturally many of the things I wanted to see were architecturally significant, but I wanted to walk around and just experience these places as best as I could in the short amount of time I was visiting. Six days wasn’t nearly enough time but I did my best to see as much as I could. These images represent my favorites from my short romp.

This entry consists mostly of Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. It was a beautiful sunny morning and I couldn’t have pictured a better time to experience the development in all of its’ glory. Some hate on brutalism and concrete, but I think Habitat 67 shows how gorgeous it can be when handled by the right architect.

Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows the skyline from near Habitat 67.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec. This image shows the Old Port of Montreal with a cyclist in the foreground.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the sun kissing the upper floors of the development.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows a detail of one of the residential units.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the upper floors bathed in morning sunlight.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows a custom bench made for the development.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the landscaping and the building rising.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the custom bench in context with the development.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the structure as it abuts the landscaping.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the different volumes of the structure from the backside.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows one of the residential units cantilevering over a walkway.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the backside of the building.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the setbacks of the residential development.
Cityscape photograph taken in Montreal, Quebec featuring Habitat 67 designed by Moshe Safdie. This image shows the back of the development in context with the landscaping.