Learn more about the firms involved in building the Aileron Campus.

Click Here to view the recent article about Aileron, in the Builders Exchange Magazine


Campus Design

The Aileron campus is the physical manifestation of a mission: empower business owners to live professional management.  Aileron reached out to Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership to create a unique place, envisioned as a place where entrepreneurs and private business leaders can escape the everyday challenges of running a venture, focus on big picture thinking, and interface with their peers. LHSA+DP's interaction with Aileron's founders, clients, and stakeholders led to the formulation of key themes that characterize the concept of entrepreneurship. These themes: Individuality, Big Picture, Journey, Dream, Focus, Leadership, Change, Decision-Making, Out of the Box, Nurture, Risk, Perseverance, and Passion, served to inform every aspect of the design process, from site selection and design, architecture and interiors, exhibits, identity, graphics and media.

A bucolic setting on a former farm is the first element that enhances the visitor's sense of being removed from daily life. The journey up a processional drive to the building allows transition from the day-to-day to a relaxed yet focused environment. Open views, use of regional materials, orientation around a pond and connection to walking trails all work to reinforce the building's relationship to the natural surroundings. Furthering this connection with nature is the employment of sustainable features such as the utilization of a geothermal heating and cooling system, use of local and recycled materials, the inclusion of fresh air ventilation, and an abundance of daylight and views of the campus. The result is a building that benefits people as well as the environment.

By definition, an 'aileron' is the mechanical part of the wing that guides and directs an aircraft. The name Aileron reflects Clay Mathile's passion to provide support and resources to business owners as they take their organizations to the next level.

LHSA+DP grasped the importance of the word to Aileron's mission and created signature aerodynamic roofs that hover over a built landscape of solid shapes and volumes. The aileron and the entrepreneurial themes continue both physically and programmatically throughout classrooms and breakout spaces, boardroom and meeting rooms, an auditorium, dining and café areas, and private offices available for client use. The dynamic aileron form inspired not only the design of the building but also the logo, signage, and identity. Throughout the interior environment, the graphic interpretation of birds flying is symbolic of the ability to take off and be at the head of the pack. Exhibits and media incorporate the key themes as well, offering visitors a planned, sequential experience beginning with an orientation theatre and exhibit about Clay Mathile's entrepreneurial journey, and continuing throughout the building with inspirational quotes, thematic videos and information kiosks.

Every aspect of the campus is reflective of the Aileron's mission and goals. The result is successful not only in creating a project that meets Aileron's requirements, but also in creating an environment rich in texture, character and meaning that is inspirational for all its users.

The Aileron project involved the collaboration and integration of a full array of designers, engineers, craftspeople, and artists. This team, comprised of hundreds of individuals, and inspired by Aileron's mission as well as the themes and design of the project, worked with remarkable dedication, passion and enthusiasm to achieve Aileron's vision.

Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership
Concept Planning, Master Planning, Site and Landscape Concept, Architecture, Interior Design, Interpretive and Exhibit Design, Graphic and Signage Design, Corporate Identity and Logo Design, Artwork, Accessories
Brackett Builders, Inc.
Construction Manager
Buro Happold
Structural Engineer, MEP Engineer, Sustainable Design and LEED Consultant, Energy Modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics
Cortina Productions
Media Designer and Producer
Heapy Engineering
Commissioning Authority
JaffeHolden
Acoustic Consultant
John Poe Architects
Local Architect & Code Consultant
LJB, Inc.
Civil Engineer
Otte Enterprises
Natural Resource/Environmental Consulting
Renfro Design Group, Inc.
Lighting Designer
Sean Daly, Windtunnel Visualization
Renderings
The Clarient Group
AV/IT Consultant, Software Systems Master Plan
Vivian Llambi & Associates, Inc.
Landscape Architect
Above All Photography, Michael Bashaw, Bing Davis, Roger Disney, Michael Dweck, Michael Hoza, Lynn Geesaman, Bryan Hunt, Jean Koeller, Alex Maclean, Robert & Shana Parkeharrison, Toni Ross, Torrance York
Art Program

Taking care of the environment too

Running a successful business isn't just about profit margins and the bottom line. As business owners learn about professional management and integrating it into their business, they will also start looking at the bigger picture. And hopefully the Aileron Campus will inspire them to include our natural resources in that picture, adopting an awareness and commitment to conserve the environment for future generations.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. A building is evaluated on five USGBC categories before receiving certification. Those categories include:

  • Sustainable site
  • Water efficiency
  • Energy and atmosphere
  • Materials and resources
  • Indoor environmental quality

While initial building costs are significantly higher than a standard building, Aileron believes the long-term impact is worth the investment. Our energy is predicted to be 45-50% less than a comparable traditionally built building, and with less off-gassing from materials and substances, the building is healthier and safer for occupants.

Below are the USGBC-specified categories and a description of how Aileron addressed these categories in the construction and/or operation of the center.

  • Sustainable Site

    • Prairie grass—requires minimal maintenance compared to regular grass and sod
    • Alternative transportation options—including electric car charging stations, bike racks and preferential parking spaces for people who carpool
    • Redirected site storm water—storm water migrates into the ground and gets filtered and released into neighboring streams

  • Water Efficiency

    • Rainwater reclamation—collected rainwater is stored, filtered, treated and used for flushing toilets and urinals
    • Efficient, low-flow water fixtures—reduces water usage throughout the building
    • Grey water treatment—treated in an EPA-approved mound treatment center and then returns to the aquifer
    • Limited land irrigation—only two of the 114 acres are irrigated; the water is pumped from the captured rainwater in the pond

  • Energy and Atmosphere

    • Geo-thermal system—entire building is heated and cooled with a geo-thermal system
    • Solar heating—hot water heated by solar panels located on the property
    • CFC reduction—none of the refrigerants contain chlorofluorocarbons
    • Automatic lighting system—lighting dims and brightens depending on the level of natural outdoor lighting
    • Energy reduction—uses 45-50% less electricity than a comparable building
    • Green power—purchase renewable energy from a company that funds windmill construction for renewable energy

  • Materials and Resources

    • Recycled construction waste—75% of construction waste was recycled
    • Used local materials when available—over 20% of building materials were obtained from local sources
    • Reused site materials—trees taken down during construction were reused on site as benches, coffee tables, stools and mulch
    • Certified wood and low emitting materials were utilized
    • Recycling program—most of the building's waste is recycled

  • Indoor Environmental Quality

    • Fresh air ventilation—an HVAC system brings fresh air into the building at all times
    • Carbon dioxide monitoring within the building
    • Low VOC paint—paints used in the building meet Green Seal's standard requirements
    • Daytime views and light—77% of the building has views to daylight and 91% of the offices have views to daylight
    • Thermal comfort—building temperatures are constantly monitored
    • Green housekeeping—all cleaners are environmentally friendly
    • No smoking within building—two designated smoking areas are located at least 25 feet from the building

At Aileron, we want to be considered a leader in the construction of a LEED-certified building. Our hope is that you enjoy our building and will consider building Green in any of your future construction projects. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.