The AeroVironment (formerly BlueHalo) Germantown consolidation was more than a relocation — it transformed how defense technology teams innovate, collaborate, and grow. The project united three locations into a single agile hub for 275 employees, featuring shared desking, labs, a secure RF chamber, and flexible zones.

The design balanced engineering rigor with a human-centric workplace, using architectural consistency, wayfinding, and signature elements — a blue portal system and ribbon-inspired ceiling — to guide circulation and reinforce brand. Acoustic challenges were addressed with absorptive materials, ceiling interventions, and space zoning.

Immersive tools, modular furniture, and neighborhood layouts reflect AV’s inclusive, talent-focused ethos, while tight coordination across specialized infrastructure created a workplace that functions as both a hub and a showcase of AV’s mission-driven culture, recognized by Maryland’s governor and regional leaders.

The outcome embodies clarity, innovation, and collaboration, positioning AeroVironment at the forefront of defense advancement in Montgomery County and beyond.

General Contractor: rand* Construction
MEP Engineering: Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
Photography: Erin Kelleher Photography