The Forge: Building the Future of Skill
The Vision
The Forge is more than a building; it's the physical heart of the Acuitur mission. Designed to be a state-of-the-art hub for education, community engagement, and industry partnership, this facility is where potential is forged into purpose. The entire space is conceived as a showcase for the skilled trades, changing perceptions and building the next generation of innovators.
The facility is designed with a modern and inviting aesthetic, using a mix of metal, concrete, and wood to create a futuristic facade. From abundant natural light to outdoor recreational spaces, the environment is crafted to be inspiring, rejecting the old idea of workshops as dark, dreary dungeons.
The Facility at a Glance
- Total Size: Approximately 100,000 sq ft.
- Total Land: Situated on a 6 to 8-acre parcel to accommodate outdoor green space and parking.
- Trainee Capacity: Built to serve 400-500 students across all tracks and disciplines.
- Training Bays: 12 total workshop bays for core disciplines and flexible projects.
The Spine & The Bays
The design of The Forge is built on a highly functional and visually striking concept called "The Spine & The Bays". This layout places a central, multi-story "Spine" between two large, barrel-vaulted workshop buildings, "The Bays", creating distinct zones for "clean" and "dirty" work while maintaining a cohesive flow.
The Spine: The Intellectual & Community Hub
The Spine is the two- to three-story administrative, academic, and public-facing nerve center of the facility. Its interior-facing glass walls serve as a viewing gallery into the workshops, putting the skilled trades on display in a safe and impressive manner.
- Grand Atrium: The main entrance opens into a high-ceiling atrium that serves as the welcome center and showcase hub. It houses trainee check-in and features dynamic displays of student projects and partner contributions.
- Classrooms & Labs: The Spine contains "clean" spaces for theoretical learning, including computer labs for CAD and design, STEM-focused exercise areas, and flexible classrooms.
- Acuitur HQ: This area includes administrative offices, conference rooms for meeting with corporate partners, and private rooms for trainee interviews.
- Community Maker Space: A dedicated, accessible space for public STEM events and workshops, making The Forge a true community resource.
The Bays: The Heart of Hands-On Training
Attached to both sides of The Spine are the high-ceiling, barrel-vaulted workshop bays where theory becomes practice. This is the "dirty" zone, designed for maximum functionality, safety, and inspiration.
- Discipline Bays: The facility houses nine dedicated bays fully outfitted for each of our core disciplines, from welding and fabrication to CNC machining and data center technology. These wings run perpendicular to the spine, creating distinct and organized work zones.
- Flex Bays: We've intentionally included three empty, utility-ready "Flex Bays". This brilliant design feature serves two key purposes:
- Future-Proofing: It allows Acuitur to adapt to evolving industry needs by easily adding new training disciplines without new construction.
- Project Incubator: These bays provide the necessary space for advanced trainees to work on large-scale community projects for their portfolios.
- Future-Proofing: It allows Acuitur to adapt to evolving industry needs by easily adding new training disciplines without new construction.
- Showcase Design: The glass viewing walls allow visitors, partners, and new trainees to safely observe the incredible work happening inside, fulfilling our "showcase" mission.