Building drawing

Here is a drawing of the John Deere Headquarters with a human scale located at the bottom right of the building. Examining the drawing, we can see that there are a multitude of repeated lines both horizontally and vertically, making orthogonal angles. The building is mostly bilaterally symmetrical disregarding the ventilation systems located at the roof of the building.

Written recordings of the headquarter's users

The building is like an "elegant glass box" reminiscent of Katsura, a zen-like style of architecture using simplistic design. This building is flexible, functional, and particularly important for "a company manufacturing farm implements". The West Office addition creates separate pavilions using glass screen motifs providing natural sunlight to brighten up the mood. There are also some questionable designs used in the building though. The inclusion of a "large unshaded glass roof in an air-conditioned sealed building" is somewhat contradicting to the company's principles of natural conservation, but all in all the building provides a homey environment that's essential to the workers' needs. The employees' remoteness when working in separate offices allows for a variety during lunch and coffee breaks, so there is a balance between work-life and social-life. (Booth, Laurence. "Deere Addition." Architectural Review 1 Oct. 1979: 212-18. Print.)

Website on Saarinen

As many architects have grown up from a foundation of family architecture, so too has Saarinen been accustomed to the world of architecture and design from an early age due to his father's prestige in the architecture realm. Rejecting the norm of the time, Saarinen saw his clients as co-creators and wanted to push the boundaries of modernism, essentially challenging the status quo of his era. His willingness to experiment allowed him to be widely successful as an architect and designer of small sculpture pieces, particularly furniture. Like many of his contemporaries, he would have side projects in which he designed simplistic furniture in attempt to stretch the ideals of modernism. Architects don't just design buildings, but also clothes, furniture, kitchenware, etc. Famously quoted, Saarinen explains what architecture means to him: "The purpose of architecture is to shelter and enhance man's life on earth and to fulfill his belief in the nobility of his existence." In regards to Saarinen's architecture with client John Deere & Co., his view was to create office spaces that were flexible and efficient, much like his other work in his early career. Again implementing modern and innovative techniques, Saarinen used a non-typical aluminum siding for his project on the John Deere Financial Headquarters in Moline, IL. To create a simplistic style of symmetry, Saarinen used glass panels and mirrors to make it "seem as though both sides were really glass". Establishing the character of John Deere within its architecture, Saarinen used outdoors columns to convey a "connection to plantation houses" which in turn reflects the origin of agricultural practices in early America. ("Eero Saarinen." - Designer Bio. Design Within Reach. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <http://www.dwr.com/category/designers/r-t/eero-saarinen.do>.)(Miller, Nory. "John Deere Financial Headquarters." GA Document 1 Feb. 1984: 78-81. Print.)

Journal Article

Throughout the Domus online journal, the authors repeatedly emphasized the brilliant idea for the building to be made of high tensile steel (Cor-ten) which was left unpainted in order for a rust coating to form a protective skin and give it a rustic feel. The use of this material largely shaped the character of the building. In addition, the roads were also planned in a way that kept in mind how the driver would see the building as the road curves around the man-made lake up to the parking lot behind the building entrance. Furthermore, the architect, Saarinen, worked out a system of sun-shading with metal louvers and specified reflective glass to prevent glare. Lighting is a very important part of architecture and is especially essential to the character and representative vibe of this building. ("Eero Saarinen: A Steel Building." Domusweb.it. Domus, 29 Sept. 2012. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <http://www.domusweb.it/en/from-the-archive/2012/09/29/eero-saarinen-a-steel-building.html>.)

Blog on John Deere World Headquarters

After reading the Sasaki blog, I came to understand the inclusion of the building's surrounding and how it interacts with the building. I did not realize Saarinen's intention to use the natural environment and intertwine it with the building's architecture until the Sasaki blog mentioned that the pond was not only a garden setting but is also used as a reservoir for flash floods and acted as a medium for heat exchange for air conditioning systems. I really agree with the author's perception of the progressive techniques of modern architecture and how far we have come since the ancient ages. Modern day technology allows us to use the natural environment to our advantage and still maintain an environmental-friendly basis. ("Deere Company Corporate Headquarters." Sasaki Associates, Inc. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. .)

Flickr Photo

In this flickr photo, we can examine the exterior's zen-like structure with hints of minimalism through the repetition of lines and orthogonal structures of the same color and material. Furthermore, the wooden benches contribute to the zen-like feeling of simplicity. The building's large stature contributes to the feeling of a massive monument with power hidden in it simplicity. There is a lot of open space and interaction with nature including a man-made pond implying that the structure is one with its natural surroundings much like that of Katsura. (Besser, Chelsea. "John Deere World Headquarters V." Flickr. Yahoo!, 20 Nov. 2003. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseabesser/3139042080/sizes/m/>.)

John Deere Museum Video

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK3bVMBGqMQ) In the video above, we are taken through the John Deere World Headquarters museum through a series of pictures taken firsthand. We can see that there is a lot of natural lighting and tall glass windows from floor to ceiling. The interior is also woodbased with soft, warm lighting creating a predominantly brown and green theme. The museum also feels like a warehouse or factory where Deere's agricultural machinery is produced.These big open spaces, high ceilings, and large windows again create an outdoorsy feel appropriate for the personality of the John Deere company.