Trumbull, CT – After successfully completing a corporate headquarters relocation project in 2003
for Cooper Surgical, Antinozzi Associates was asked back to provide programming, design
services and construction administration services to double their space – resulting in a new
77,000 SF corporate headquarters facility in Trumbull, Connecticut.
Cooper Surgical, a medical device manufacturing company, wanted the new facility to fit
their vision of a state-of-the-art destination that would standardize their workplace, increase
collaboration, unify departments, and attract/retain a talented workforce. Working with the
developer of the site, R.D. Scinto, Inc., Antinozzi Associates created a building that sits atop a
high rock face location and responds directly to the curve of the road. The solution, a 3-story
all-glass curtain wall building, uses different sizes of pure white bullnose mullions and spandrel
panels, generating reflective images of the surrounding forest and sky. In addition, blue shadow
boxes (reflecting the Cooper logo color) add depth and branding to the building as Cooper’s
new ‘home’ and unique floor shapes form balconies on the second and third floors.
After proceeding up a curved drive to the building, one is welcomed by a two-story front
entrance protected by a soaring third floor supported by two-story stainless steel columns. This
strong entry element carries the exterior’s white granite floor and linear metal ceiling finishes
into the two-story Entry Lobby, which incorporates a 1 ½ story stone tile focal wall with LED light
strips that change color, as well as a message board to welcome visitors or inform employees of
daily events.
On the interior, 9’-0” high windows with 36” sills were specifically incorporated to maximize
the amount of daylight into the interior spaces. The solid portions of all workstation partitions
were kept at a height of 34” to allow maximum light penetration. Horizontally, a 5’-0” standard
module was developed to respond to the workstation and office standards created by Antinozzi
Associates for the project after an extensive programming analysis of the Cooper Surgical
employees’ needs. Ceiling grids, lighting, and interior/exterior window walls followed this
module throughout the entire facility, resulting in an efficient and elegant design solution. To
allow further light to penetrate the building, butt-glazed interior office walls with sill and head
heights matching the exterior windows were incorporated.
Lighting was an important part of the design solution for both the interior workplace as well as to
organize the perception of the building in the evening. 6” wide, high-output lamps were located
in all of the offices on the 5’-0” module, perpendicular and centered to the exterior vertical
window mullions and interior butt-glazed joints. Where workstations or collaboration spaces
abutted the exterior wall, a 9’-0” high gypsum board soffit was created (with downlights on the
5’-0” module), and a strategically-placed, sound-absorbing 2’x2’ ceiling cloud was dropped and
sized to create a sense of place above the workstations. All exposed structure and ductwork
above the ceiling was painted the client’s blue logo color – branding and creating a unique
environment throughout the building. Three different, but harmonious, carpet patterns were
used for wayfinding through the building, helping to define circulation, workstation areas and
office spaces.
To promote business collaboration in a social setting, special attention was given to the
cafeteria and servery. High and low tables with soft-seating areas provide dining and resting
areas to all of the employees in the company. A second floor “Family Room” was created to
provide another informal gathering place.
The Antinozzi Associates design team worked closely with Cooper Surgical to respond to the
needs of the project – from detailing the exterior appearance to visiting furniture consultant
showrooms to understand the latest in office furniture and workstation design/configuration.
‘Town meetings’ with major stakeholders were held to ensure they were aware of the
project’s mission so there was consensus at every level of the company. By using customized
questionnaires sent to all employees, we were able to understand the company’s working
habits, conferencing and privacy needs, departmental relationships, eating habits, and a ‘wish
list’. This document, along with the organizational chart, was used from start to finish and
enabled us to create an environment that executives and employees alike are proud of.