Fortaleza Hall
A testament to SC Johnson’s rich history, Fortaleza Hall honors the spirit of adventure and highlights the landmark expeditions to Brazil by the late fourth-generation leader Sam Johnson and his father, H.F. Johnson Jr.

The new building offers visitors a chance to come together to learn more about the SC Johnson company and the company’s core values. The 60,000 square foot facility, which broke ground in Fall 2007, has two distinct sections: Fortaleza Hall, which provides historical context for the company and the advances that continue to take place through displays and memorabilia, the Frank Lloyd Wright Library and Legacy gallery; and The Commons, which offers a myriad of employee amenities.

Fortaleza Hall does more than change the cityscape, it tells an adventurous story – one of value, commitment and doing what’s right.  The building tells the stories of generations past while its contemporary and unique architecture yield to the future.

Architecture Destination
With the opening of Fortaleza Hall on its global headquarters in Racine, Wis., SC Johnson continues its tradition as an architectural destination. Currently, more than 4,500 Frank Lloyd Wrightenthusiasts visit the headquarters each year to see Wright’s renowned designs.  The Administration Building opened in 1939 and the Research Tower opened in 1950.  The last new building to be brought to the campus was the Golden Rondelle in 1967. Originally built as a movie theatre for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, it was disassembled and brought to Racine where it was rebuilt.

Designed by world-renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, SC Johnson’s new Fortaleza Hall is a contemporary partner to the innovative buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright.

“Fortaleza Hall has given us a unique opportunity to work along side one of the finest Modern buildings in the world – The SC Johnson building – and to tell a remarkable story of adventure and discovery," said Norman Foster, Foster + Partners, London. "H. F. Johnson Jr.’s decision to commission Frank Lloyd Wright was an inspiring act of architectural patronage, as was the brief that we were given to design both Fortaleza Hall and its companion, The Commons. This project celebrates a family of architectural patrons, a remarkable company, a pioneering spirit and a historic journey."

Innovative Experiences
Fortaleza Hall offers visitors unique experiences. Several artists worked within the space to create an atmosphere that captures the company’s culture, commitment to the environment and spirit of adventure. The experiences seek to inspire, motivate and renew the building’s visitors. Highlights include:

• Vertical Garden – One of four permanent Patrick Blanc-designed Vertical Garden walls in the U.S. developed with living plants; 49 feet by 18 feet high and features 79 species of plants and nearly 2,500 total plants
• Polyconic mosaic map – Depicts the rich topography of the Western Hemisphere and traces Sam Johnson’s journey from Racine to Brazil; four different types of sustainably harvested wood (black walnut, American cherry, maple and hornbeam) and 19,200 pieces of 3 inch by 3 inch blocks of wood
• Soundscape – Fortaleza comes to life with the sounds of Brazil, such as flora, fauna, street life and wildlife; the computer-operated sounds sync with the time of day and weather
• Legacy gallery – Hear Sam Johnson’s stories; learn about Carnaúba and the foundation on which SC Johnson is built – the values and principles that guide the company
• Waterfall and reflecting pool – Water falls 14 feet into a reflecting pool 28 feet long, the system circulates and stores 750 gallons of water
  
• The mural – The first installation of its kind in North America; features 8,000 square feet of precast white concrete with rasterized images of the Brazilian palm forest, recreated from a photo taken during H. F. Johnson Jr.’s 1935 expedition 
• Carnaúba plane – The replica twin-engine S-38 amphibious aircraft used by Sam Johnson and his sons in 1998
• Compass benches – Made of U.S. sustainably harvested black walnut with the expedition stops of the journey raised on the front
• Frank Lloyd Wright Library and Reading Room – The first library of its kind in southeastern Wisconsin; browse through hundreds of books, documents, drawings, correspondence, videos, blueprints and DVDs to better understand one of America’s most well known architects

 

For more information about these experiences and the building, visit SC Johnson’s Press Room.

Tour Information
Fortaleza Hall is open to the public and invites visitors to tour the building. Tours of Fortaleza Hall will run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year.

Tours are free of charge. Visitors are also welcome to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings on campus on Fridays. Reservations for both tours are required.

For more information click here.