The Fed Ex Express World Headquarters is an extraordinary corporate campus that exemplifies the culture and identity of FedEx Express' brand. The progressive corporate architecture blends the rich culture of Memphis, Tennessee with a modern flair for forward movement. The nine-building, 1.1 million SF campus is unified with curved glass, aluminum fins and interconnected skyways that from the sky resemble an airborne jet. The campus includes many modern key elements including a complete under-floor air distribution system for flexibility, a full-service cafeteria and diner, a corporate training facility, the FXTV studio, a credit union, a wellness center, and elaborate jogging trails around the 89 acre site. Built next to a PGA golf course, the large campus blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
Holder was selected for this project after the completion of the Schematic Design based on Holder's corporate campus experience. The nine buildings were unique, with no two building the same, and the program included water features, hardscape, landscape, putting greens, sky bridges, exterior facade feature elements with heavy aluminum rustification, and angled curtain wall systems. Holder provided FedEx Express with over 700 value analysis options to maintain the project budget. One item effecting the cost was a spike in demand for architectural precast. Holder conducted a nationwide search for precast, stone, or limestone systems to provide an economically viable source consistent with desired exterior look. Holder contacted over 30 fabricators/trade contractors across the country and was able to locate a competitive Indiana Limestone product. By working with the fabricator and the architect, Holder panelized the Limestone panels to save money from the inflated architectural precast option.
Holder carefully managed the budget by separating the project into 19 estimates, allowing the team to track the base building and interior work for each of the nine buildings. This enabled Holder to closely monitor the actual cost during the first buildings and to accurately project the final cost for the remaining buildings. During the construction Holder managed and released unspent contingencies allowing the Owner to spend the savings on building scope. The final project cost was .1% below FedEx's construction budget.