share on BufferA celebratory groundbreaking for the Acura Design Studio was conducted March 27, 2006, marking the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Acura brand.
Key technologies in the Acura Design Studio include a computer-generated virtual simulator that enables design stylists to display vehicles in a one-to-one ratio.
Other features in the facility design include the parallel arrangement of the interior and exterior design areas on the styling floor to better enable collaboration of designers involved in a new vehicle.
The new $15 million Acura Design Studio joins the Honda Design Studio in Torrance, Calif. and the Advanced Design Studio in Pasadena, Calif. to further HRA’s existing Los Angeles Center for research and design.
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From the official Press Release:
“This Acura Design Studio will help conceive and design the future of Acura,” said Toshihiko Nonaka, president of Honda R&D Americas (HRA).
“Our goal here is to create emotional designs that create a strong and distinct image for Acura products.”
According to Honda, moving Acura’s design activities into a independent studio “provides a more clear focus to advance the unique character of the Acura brand.”
“The effort to distinguish Acura in the marketplace begins with design,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and the Acura Division.
“The Acura Design Studio will be critical in our efforts to deliver products at the right times and ahead of the competition.”
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A “green” building
Designed to achieve a high level of energy efficiency, the studio also is expected to be certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
A number of measures were adopted in the design and construction of the studio, with the goal of achieving LEED gold certification.
These include an Energy Star reflective roof to reduce heat gain and lower air conditioning requirements; reclaimed water used for landscaping; and an intelligent lighting system that makes greater use of natural light.
About Acura and HRA in the US
Acura was the world’s first Japanese luxury nameplate and the first Japanese luxury automaker to design, develop and manufacturer its vehicles in North America.
Today, nearly two-thirds of all Acura vehicles sold in America are researched, designed, developed and assembled exclusively in North America.
Honda R&D Americas (HRA) began its operations in California in 1976 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 30 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development.
With the addition of the Acura Design Studio, the company operates 13 major R&D facilities in North America with more than 1,200 designers, engineers and support personnel engaged in the development of automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment products for North America and global markets.
HRA’s major centers include the Los Angeles Center (Torrance, CA) responsible for market research, concept development and styling design; the Ohio Center (Raymond, OH) responsible for complete product development, testing and support of North American supplier development; and two dynamic test facilities in California and Ohio; and the North Carolina Center (Swepsonville, NC) responsible for power equipment R&D.
(Source: Acura)
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