WSU PB4 NetApp Office Building

NetApp builds team home away from home

Wichita, KS

Work from home? Work in the office?

When talking about work post-Covid, questions often revolve around location.

When NetApp was planning its new location on the campus of Wichita State University, the global digital solutions provider wanted to make sure that, for their employees, working in the office felt a lot like working at home.

Put another way, they want their employees to feel at home at work.

Throughout the $50M facility at WSU’s Innovation Campus are feel-at-home amenities and features such as lounge and living room style furniture, coffee bars, a fitness center, Quiet Zones, expansive break rooms, walking paths, ponds, sports court, and much more.

The company’s new midwestern headquarters features employees’ offices and a fully functioning data center with 420 racks full of equipment and workstations to test the equipment.

The exterior of the 168,000 SF building was designed with the environment in mind, as NetApp is seeking LEED Silver Status. The dry design panel used on the exterior does an excellent job of keeping weather and moisture out of the facility. This type of paneling is durable, energy-efficient, and easily maintained.

Connectivity is the concept flowing through all points inside the facility, and it’s achieved through a three-prong approach that forms a Y-shaped “spine that represents the company’s connection to Wichita and WSU, the environment, and the company culture.

Statement piece organic ceiling clouds are present along the spine in the public mall and inside private office spaces. Wall-mounted acoustic sound baffles mimic the data fabric flow.

Open collaboration spaces throughout the workstation areas include statement vinyl wall coverings that depict movement or odes to color found in the natural environment.

A Nanolumen digital wall is featured right inside the main entrance and serves as a marketing tool for their business and the building.

This project marked the first time NetApp worked on a design-build project, so Crossland and GMLV teams worked closely with NetApp to communicate clear deadlines for decisions and actions. This stellar communication led to the project being completed on time and under budget.

NetApp, which has had a presence in Wichita for more than 20 years, now has a facility on WSU’s campus that highlights the company’s connection to Wichita. It also enhanced the partnership between NetApp and WSU, emphasizing technological innovation and applied learning.

Project Facts

Industry Sector: Commercial – Retail & Office
Cost: $50,000,000
Size: 168,671 SF
Delivery Method: Negotiated
Self-Perform: Earthwork
Owner: Netapp, Inc.
Architect: GLMV Architecture, Inc.