Headquarters Project on Michigan State University Campus Wins AIA Detroit Architectural Award
Designed by SmithGroup for TechSmith and the MSU Research Foundation, the award-winning headquarters on Michigan State University’s campus emphasizes well-being, environmental stewardship, flexible workspaces, and energy-efficient systems.
DETROIT, Mich. (Sept. 24, 2024) — SmithGroup has received the AIA Detroit Architectural Award for the design of the TechSmith Headquarters in East Lansing, Michigan. This award, presented by the Detroit chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), recognizes excellence in architecture and design, highlighting projects that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and a positive community impact.
SmithGroup’s design was recognized for its emphasis on sustainability and flexible workspaces, featuring modular offices and team pods to support hybrid work. The building incorporates natural light and an interior walking trail to promote employee wellness, alongside environmental strategies such as water conservation, native vegetation, and energy-efficient systems that earned it LEED Silver certification.
“We are so pleased to receive this recognition from AIA Detroit,” said Bob Varga, Vice President of Design at SmithGroup. “Our team worked closely with TechSmith, MSU Research Foundation, and The Christman Company to deliver a building that not only meets the highest standards of design but also serves as an inspiring, functional space for its users.”
Located at 14 Crescent Road on the Michigan State University campus, the 63,000-square-foot facility serves as the global headquarters for TechSmith, a leading provider of visual communications software, including Snagit and Camtasia, their flagship tools for screen capture, screen recording, and video editing.
“Our headquarters reflects our values,” said Wendy Hamilton, CEO of TechSmith. “We’ve been intentional about creating a facility that supports employee well-being, collaboration, and innovation. As a hybrid employer, we need a space that facilitates meaningful in-person connections while enabling productive and streamlined hybrid connections to support staff flexibility. This space has achieved that while also fostering community and igniting engagement that has translated into new customer value.”
TechSmith maintains strong ties to Michigan State University, with 50 percent of its full-time staff being MSU graduates and the company offering 25 internships annually. Its headquarters, developed and owned by the MSU Research Foundation, sits on five acres of land leased from the university. As part of East Lansing’s growing technology and innovation ecosystem, the headquarters aligns with the Foundation’s mission to support research, entrepreneurship, and economic development in collaboration with MSU.
“These types of public-private partnerships align with the university's strategic plan to drive economic development,” said Jeff Smith, Director of Research Parks at the MSU Research Foundation. “This project promotes discovery and innovation, creates opportunities for MSU faculty, staff, and students, and is a great model for corporate partnership.”
The AIA Detroit Architectural Award is one of the most prestigious design honors, recognizing projects that exemplify design excellence and enhance the built environment.
The TechSmith Headquarters was completed in September 2022. The Christman Company served as construction manager for the project, with interior design services provided by Pace Howe Design. Kramer Management Group assisted TechSmith in the project. The City of East Lansing, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) provided additional support.
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About SmithGroup
SmithGroup is one of the world’s leading integrated design firms, with a network of 20 offices in the U.S. and China. The firm specializes in delivering exceptional design solutions for workplace, healthcare, science and technology, higher education, urban environments, and mixed-use developments. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, SmithGroup partners with forward-thinking clients to solve complex challenges through architecture, engineering, and planning.
About TechSmith
TechSmith is the market leader in screen capture software and productivity solutions for daily in-person, remote or hybrid workplace communication and customer-facing image and video content. The company’s award-winning flagship products, Snagit and Camtasia, empower anyone to create remarkable videos and images that share knowledge for better training, tutorials, and everyday communication. To date, billions of images and videos have been created with TechSmith’s products by more than 73 million people across more than 190 countries.
About MSU Research Foundation
The MSU Research Foundation supports the Michigan State University ecosystem with resources that increase the impact of research and innovation. The Foundation achieves its mission through grant programs that contribute over $10 million annually to the University, entrepreneurial programming and early-stage investments that accelerate technology transfer and startup growth throughout Michigan, and environments where startup businesses and collaborators can thrive. The Foundation's work is made possible through its stewardship of a flexible and sustainable endowment, nourished by over 50 years of licensing revenues and investment returns. Learn more about the MSU Research Foundation and its impact at msufoundation.org
About The Christman Company
The Christman Company is a Michigan-based construction firm that has built a reputation for quality, safety, and sustainable building practices. Known for its ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, Christman is involved in a wide range of sectors, including commercial, institutional, and educational developments, focusing on enhancing communities through responsible and innovative construction management.