Project Data: 

Completion Date:     2/26/2026 

Square Footage:      40510 

Building Use:           Office with limited warehouse 

Project Description: 

The design of the MSI New Headquarters posed a complex series of challenges that ultimately shaped a more thoughtful and integrated project. The building was conceived as a Net Zero Energy and LEED Gold infill development within an aging industrial complex in the City of Orange. The site, once entirely paved, offered no meaningful green space or connection to nature. Adapting a formerly hardscaped lot into a workplace that prioritized well-being, sustainability, and long-term resilience required careful coordination across disciplines.

One of the first challenges was site integration. The new building had to connect both physically and programmatically to two existing distribution warehouses, while introducing new spatial organization, shared amenities, and modern infrastructure, all without interrupting ongoing operations. The design team leveraged this adjacency to transform a lifeless concrete courtyard into a shaded outdoor oasis, offering biophilic space for employees and visitors to recharge, even on the hottest Southern California afternoons.

Achieving Net Zero Energy performance added another layer of complexity. Energy modeling and system design had to accommodate not just the new headquarters but also adjacent MSI buildings. This required thoughtful massing, careful solar orientation, and advanced envelope strategies. The team incorporated rooftop photovoltaic panels, high-performance glazing, deep exterior sunshades, and a CO₂-based chiller system paired with battery storage. Designing for load shifting and passive survivability was particularly important given the region’s vulnerability to power grid instability and extreme heat events.

Programmatically, the building needed to foster connectivity across MSI departments while anticipating future growth. Flexible open floor plans, right-sized circulation, and durable finishes were used to support both operational efficiency and long-term adaptability.

Budget and timeline constraints presented another challenge. As a private client, MSI was cost-conscious but also deeply committed to building something enduring and environmentally responsible. Rather than defaulting to short-term savings, the team focused on strategies that added long-term value: reduced operating costs, lower water use, improved employee satisfaction, and enhanced energy performance across this MSI site.

The design team also had to navigate material decisions carefully. While MSI’s own products, including vinyl flooring and quartz countertops, were incorporated into the interiors, the team balanced these choices with low and no-VOC materials and healthy indoor air strategies.

Throughout, the client’s strong in-house innovation culture helped sustain momentum. MSI’s own software developers plan to track building performance data through smart controls and sensors, enabling ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement post-occupancy.

In the end, the biggest challenge was also the biggest opportunity: transforming an overlooked industrial site into a high-performance, resilient, and restorative workplace that reflects MSI’s values and sets a benchmark for sustainable redevelopment in the region. 

Design for Integration, Design for Equitable Communities, Design for Ecosystems, Design for Water , Design for Economy, Design for Energy, Design for Well-being, Design for Resources, Design for Change, Design for Discovery 

The MSI New Headquarters is a reflection of integrated thinking and long-term vision. Located on a previously hardscaped industrial site in the City of Orange, the project responds to the AIA Framework for Design Excellence by weaving together sustainability, resilience, community, and adaptability. At the heart of the project is the idea of connection: between people, place, and the environment.

Design for Integration is evident from the beginning. MSI’s dispersed departments, formerly housed in aging mid-century industrial buildings with little daylight or connection between functions, are now brought together in one cohesive headquarters. The new building serves as a physical and cultural hub, enhancing collaboration, community, and company pride. The headquarters was designed to work in harmony with the two adjacent existing buildings, creating a unified campus that leverages shared energy infrastructure and operations. The building’s design, from solar orientation to building systems, was the result of close collaboration between architects, engineers, and the client’s in-house team of facility and operations managers.

Design for Equitable Communities guided the public realm and shared spaces. A formerly inhospitable, fully paved site is transformed into an inviting and walkable environment with new trees, shaded areas, and outdoor gathering spaces. The entry experience, central courtyard, rooftop deck, and green pockets throughout the parking area create places for respite and informal gathering. These spaces support human interaction and reflect MSI’s commitment to employee well-being. They also soften the site’s presence within a broader industrial zone, improving the surrounding community’s experience at the street level.

Design for Ecosystems was central to the site strategy. Replacing an entirely impervious surface with permeable green space allows for meaningful stormwater capture and infiltration. The courtyard water feature, along with extensive shading from new trees, photovoltaic arrays, and existing structures, cools the site naturally, providing evaporative relief and reducing the urban heat island effect. Native and drought-tolerant plant species minimize irrigation demands, support local biodiversity, and reinforce a deepened connection to the Southern California landscape.

Design for Water is addressed both passively and actively. In addition to stormwater infiltration, the project incorporates low-flow plumbing fixtures that exceed CalGreen requirements, high-efficiency irrigation controls, and thoughtful timing strategies to reduce waste. Located in a region known for progressive water recycling efforts, the project aligns with Orange County’s broader goals for water conservation and responsible groundwater management.

Design for Economy is expressed through smart use of existing resources and long-term planning. Rather than relocating or demolishing, MSI chose to reinvest in their existing site, reusing an on-site warehouses that comprises 15.8 percent of the total building area, and protecting in place another warehouse on site. The new headquarters is constructed with durable, low-maintenance materials and a bolted steel structural frame designed for future adaptability. The open-plan layout allows for multiple configurations over time, reducing the need for future renovation and waste. A centralized location supports operational efficiency while reducing the need for vehicle travel between sites.

Design for Energy was a driving force behind every design decision. The new and existing buildings on site are powered by rooftop solar arrays, working together to achieve site-wide Net Zero Energy performance. Battery storage ensures demand response flexibility and provides backup power to support MSI’s 24/7 operations, increasing resilience during grid outages. Passive systems, including deep exterior shading, optimized glazing, and solar orientation, reduce thermal loads and help maintain comfort with less mechanical intervention. High-efficiency mechanical systems, including a CO2-based chiller and electric heat pump water heaters, were selected to minimize carbon emissions and future-proof the building.

Design for Well-Being was prioritized through daylighting strategies, advanced air filtration, and connection to outdoor space. While operable windows were not feasible, the building includes a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) with MERV 13 filters, supporting healthy indoor air during smoke events and high pollution days. Interior finishes and furniture are low or no-VOC, and spaces were designed to minimize glare and support circadian rhythms. Outdoor areas are within view or direct access of nearly every regularly occupied space, reinforcing a culture of movement, balance, and well-being.

Design for Resources is evident in the project’s materials strategy. The total embodied carbon of the project is estimated at 1,375,000 kilograms of CO2 equivalent, representing a 24 percent reduction compared to the LEED v4.1 baseline. MSI is using the project as a case study for securing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and completing third-party Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for their own products, which are being used throughout the building. This feedback loop allows MSI to improve the environmental impact of their product lines while also contributing to industry-wide transparency.

Design for Change informed long-term planning and operational flexibility. The building is designed for a minimum 100-year lifespan and includes features to accommodate shifts in workstyle, workforce needs, and climate pressures. Energy resilience is built in through solar and battery storage, and passive survivability is supported by a high-performance envelope. The project reflects MSI’s larger mission to serve both the current and future needs of their employees, their industry, and the communities they work within.

Design for Discovery is supported through education and data tracking. Signage throughout the building will highlight sustainability and resiliency strategies, helping employees understand and engage with the building’s performance. MSI’s in-house software team will actively monitor real-time data from sensors and smart systems, enabling continual tuning and improvement over time. A post-occupancy evaluation and occupant survey will further inform future upgrades and ongoing performance optimization.

Together, these principles shaped a headquarters that reflects MSI’s values, responds to its environment, and lays the groundwork for a more resilient and regenerative future. 

Firm Name:              LINDSEY ENGELS 

Completion Date:     2/26/2026 

Square Footage:      40510 

Building Use:           Office with limited warehouse 

Location:                 Orange, CA 

Design Architect: 

Associate Architect or Firm: 

Landscape Architect: 

Ridge Landscape Architects 

Owner / Developer: 

MSI, Inc. 

Engineer: 

Civil: TAIT & Associates, Inc.
Structural: Ficcadenti, Waggoner and Castle
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering: H2 Engineering
 

General Contractor: 

Oltmans Construction 

Consultant: 

Construction Management: Desai Builders
Sustainability, Energy and Commissioning: Verdical Group
Building Envelope: Walker Consultants
Interior Design (feature spaces): Fltwkshp Studio
Interior Design (offices areas): Spaces P + D
Specifications: Makaport Consulting, LLC 

Photographer: