In 2013, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems decided to create five national Centers of Excellence. One of those involved relocating a facility from New York to Melbourne, Fla. When the original plan to modify existing facilities in Melbourne for lab spaces and lease space for support functions wouldn't work, the owner and contractor began planning a new facility—thereby consolidating a normally three-year effort into just over one year. Planning and design for the 210,000-sq-ft facility began in April 2013. Just 14 months later, the project achieved a mid-June 2014 occupancy.

Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman's new building in Melbourne, Fla., won an Award of Merit in the Office/Mixed-Use/Retail category.

Award of Merit - Office/Mixed-Use/Retail - Northrop Grumman Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence, Building 22, Melbourne, Fla.

Key Players

Contractor/Lead Design Firm The Austin Co., Atlanta

Owner Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Fla.

Civil Engineer Construction Engineering Group, Melbourne, Fla.