Michaela Meade
Ford Australia is accelerating towards a busy 2021 with a recently expanded high-tech design studio unveiled at Broadmeadows.
The $12 million facelift of the Ford Design Studio will accommodate more than 200 designers working on Ford vehicles for Australia and the global markets.
Design director for Ford international markets group and China, Max Wolff said the improvements are aimed at maintaining the “cutting edge” status of the facility with the necessary tools and technologies for designing the “vehicles of tomorrow”.
“The whole building has been redesigned,” Mr Wolff said.
“It has been structured around supporting our design process and our team, enabling them to work in a modern, creative environment.”
The redesign continues the company’s ongoing investment in Australia, and adds a further 100 work stations, an extended clay modelling shop, and a new five-axis gantry milling centre.
The expansion doubled the footprint of the studio, offering a brighter facility which, according to the company, will foster creativity and innovation.
Australian architecture firm Genton, in collaboration with Cachet Group, approached the project with a museum design philosophy. According to Genton, the space will complement rather than compete with the creative processes.
The studio was originally built in the 1970s and has been the birthplace of many iconic Ford models including the XA Falcon, XD Falcon, FG Falcon and the Territory SUV.
Mr Wolff said the studio update looks to the future and incorporates improved leading technologies.
“The refurbishment was a consultative process, with creative design, physical and digital sculpting and design engineering all contributing to what was needed with new facilities,” Mr Wolff said.
Ford is Australia’s largest automotive employer, and employs more than 2500 engineers, designers, technical and automotive specialists. The Australian-based employees lead the development of award-winning vehicles.
