A Campus Built to Support the Work

The Indiana Department of Transportation Fort Wayne District Campus serves as a central hub for operations, bringing together multiple functions across a 10-acre site with nine buildings. As demands evolved, there was an opportunity to rethink how the campus and its core facilities could better support staff, collaboration, and long-term efficiency.

Fragmented Spaces, Missed Opportunities

The existing conditions, including an outdated 1976 administration building, limited communication, flexibility, and operational performance. Dispersed functions and aging infrastructure created inefficiencies, making it difficult for staff to work together effectively or adapt to changing needs.

A Framework for Efficiency and Flexibility

Synthesis led the development of a campus-wide master plan, establishing design standards and guiding the transformation of the site. At the center of this effort, the new administration building was designed to consolidate personnel and improve day-to-day operations. A central spine organizes vertical circulation, conference rooms, and offices, allowing for open, flexible workspaces along the curtainwall perimeter. Features such as light shelves and open ceilings enhance daylight and create a more engaging environment while maintaining budget discipline. The building’s exterior expression, defined by large expanses of glass, intersecting masonry planes, and sun screens, establishes a strong and modern identity. Strategic landscape placement improves wayfinding and arrival, while interior planning prioritizes access to natural light and collaboration. Throughout, the design reflects INDOT’s Core 4 Values of Respect, Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.

A Campus Aligned for the Future

The Fort Wayne District Campus now operates as a more connected, efficient, and flexible environment. By consolidating staff and aligning the physical space with how teams work, the new administration building improves communication, supports productivity, and reduces operational costs. The result is a campus designed not just to function, but to perform, today and into the future.