In this Article we talk about Ford Engineering Lab: A Century of Reinvention and Creativity. Originally published in the 2024 Docomomo Corporate Campus Newsletter, this article explores the remarkable 100-year journey of Ford’s Engineering Laboratory in Dearborn, Michigan—a true testament to the company’s legacy of creativity, innovation, and adaptive reuse.
Located just 10 miles west of Detroit along the Rouge River, the Ford campus has been a cornerstone of automotive history since 1915. The lab was initially built to produce Eagle boats during World War I, but its role and significance grew over the decades, transforming into a hub of engineering excellence.
The Lab as a Beacon of Innovation
Designed by the renowned architect Albert Kahn, the Ford Engineering Laboratory (FEL) quickly became a symbol of modern industrial architecture. Kahn’s collaboration with Henry Ford birthed iconic buildings that have stood the test of time, and the FEL was no exception. In fact, this building played a vital role in the development of some of Ford’s most revolutionary cars, including the 1949 Super Deluxe, which symbolized Ford’s transition into post-war automotive production.
“The Human Bridge”—a concept etched into the very stone of the building’s façade—celebrates the collaboration between agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. It’s also the title of a 1949 Ford film that showcases the meticulous process of designing and manufacturing a car, with scenes shot inside the FEL.
Shifting Purposes, Enduring Legacy
The FEL has undergone several transformations over its century-long history. In the 1950s, designers moved out, and the space was reconfigured for engineers, eventually becoming the Powertrain Operations and Engine Engineering hub. By 2007, the building was decommissioned, but it wasn’t forgotten.
In 2015, a major renovation breathed new life into the space. Engineers returned, and a new purpose emerged—housing the Ford Archives. A state-of-the-art archival center now sits where a courtyard once was, preserving Ford’s history in climate-controlled stacks that include miles of rolling shelves for documents, film, and more.
Uncovering the Past, Designing the Future
Renovating such a historic building isn’t simple, and workers made fascinating discoveries along the way. Layers of bright orange and powder blue paint revealed earlier iterations of the space, while removing drop ceilings uncovered vaulted steel ceilings and long-hidden skylights. These restorations brought natural light back to the workspace, much like it had when stylists and engineers worked in the building 75 years ago.
Attention to detail is paramount in this renovation. Original metalwork columns, once hidden behind layers of paint, have been restored, and even a column where Henry Ford and his team marked their heights will be preserved for future generations to see.
The redesigned space balances respect for the building’s history with modern functionality. Acoustic paneling, carpeted areas, and dedicated collaboration zones ensure that the FEL remains a conducive environment for creative work. Employees will benefit from flexible workspaces, conference rooms, and amenities like a 24/7 market, coffee bar, and mother’s room.
A New Era of Collaboration
As the Ford Engineering Laboratory reopens this fall, it will once again become a hub of innovation and collaboration. The projects and teams inside may differ from those in the past, but the spirit of creativity and ingenuity remains unchanged. The FEL stands as a bridge between Ford’s rich history and its future, embodying the essence of adaptation, transformation, and continued progress.