Arium AE, LLC (Arium), a multidisciplinary architecture and engineering design firm that has served the Mid-Atlantic region from its Baltimore-Washington office for over 36 years, was honored at the NAIOP DC | MD Awards of Excellence Gala. Held on September 25 at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., the program recognizes outstanding achievements in commercial real estate projects throughout Washington D.C., Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Frederick counties in Maryland.
Arium received an award for Best Industrial Flex Building for the design of a High-Tech Manufacturing Facility in Germantown, Maryland. The firm served as the architect and MEP engineer for the construction of the two-story, 140,000+ SF state-of-the-art electronics manufacturing facility. The building balances the design aesthetics of the surrounding innovation park with the practical needs of a high-tech electronics manufacturing and research center. The exterior is defined by spectral cantilevered wall features and insulated tilt-up concrete panels that are adorned with a random stone pattern and layers of artistically applied stain. The design for the manufacturing floor was carefully crafted to meet the client’s specific needs, with a primary focus on creating lab-grade manufacturing areas and included a new electrical service to support the manufacturing process. The 2nd floor provides additional office capacity, including large conference rooms, a main break area, and collaboration support booths. This facility will provide students with academic and career advancement opportunities through a partnership between the manufacturer and the adjacent community college.
The project is the culmination of an RFP from a Maryland County community college’s Innovation Complex for Science and Technology. It was awarded to the joint venture partnership of two long-standing local development firms to develop a 5.67-acre parcel of raw land. Originally planned as a 5-story 150,000 SF wet lab facility, the project evolved into a partnership with a global network systems company to design the eventual manufacturing building and site. The additional partnership of the design team, including Arium – the architect and MEP engineer, and the process, structural, civil, and geotechnical engineers, and the general contractor, provided the means to create a state-of-the-art high-tech manufacturing facility.
“Arium is honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading such an inspirational project. The success here is attributed to the entire project team working together with a shared goal of delivering exceptional design,” said Brian Frels,
Principal at Arium.
Arium AE is a regional leader for industrial, warehouse, commercial office, SCIF, healthcare, educational, retail, and adaptive reuse projects. The firm works for a wide range of the most demanding clients in the area, from the largest REITs to small developers and individual tenants. Arium’s understanding of building typologies and their effective working relationships with local jurisdictions ensures an exceptionally efficient permit and occupancy process. Their integrated design approach balances functional solutions and high aesthetics through outstanding services tailored to their client’s unique needs.
