Ford Abandons "Glass House" for Sprawling New Headquarters

In a major move, Ford Motor Company is leaving its longtime "Glass House" world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, and relocating to a sprawling new building that more than doubles its office space.

The new 2.1 million square foot headquarters, set to be fully completed by 2027, will be Ford's sixth corporate home since the company's founding. The building features a range of innovative design choices aimed at fostering a more collaborative work environment for the automaker's employees.

For example, the six design studios in the new HQ are arranged in pairs, with the windows positioned to allow visibility between the paired studios but prevent outsiders from seeing the products being developed. The flooring in these studios is also a darker gray color to mimic the asphalt where Ford's vehicles will ultimately be tested.

To further integrate the company's products into the new workspace, the building's foundation was designed to support the weight of an F-250 pickup truck, with freight elevators available to move vehicles between the four floors. Ford wants its employees to be able to interact with the finished vehicles as they're being designed.

The new headquarters will initially house around 2,000 Ford employees, the same number as the old "Glass House" could accommodate. But the expanded space will allow for up to 5,000 workers once the building is fully operational.