The ASM International headquarters and geodesic dome, built 1959, is situated just off Ohio Route 87, approximately 25 miles east of Cleveland in the rural landscape of Russell Township, Ohio. The forty-five acres estate known as Materials Park has been home to the headquarters of ASM International (formerly known as the American Society for Metals) for the past fifty years. ASM has played a significant role in the history of material science for about 95 years and has shaped American manufacturing generally, and Ohio regional manufacturing and business specifically since the 1920’s.
The design of Materials Park was the result of the vision of three men: William Hunt Eisenman, ASM's managing director for 40 years (1918-1958); a prominent Cleveland Modern architect John Terence Kelly, and inventor R. Buckminster Fuller. Mr. Eisenman personally donated 100 acres of farmland to the society. Mr. Kelly envisioned a structure that would bring nature and technology together in a celebration of materials. The geodesic dome or the space lattice engineered and created by Mr. Fuller was intended to demonstrate mankind’s mastery of materials and technology.
The semi-circular office building is 50,000 sq. ft. and its stylistic elements include stainless steel floating staircases, copper sheeting and large panels of clear glass windows and walls. Comprised of 65,000 parts, the eleven-story aluminum alloy dome rises to a height of 103 feet, spans 250 feet in diameter and weighs 80 tons. It is the largest open-work dome in the world.
With its spectacular arching dome and its semi-circular office building, the ASM International World Headquarters at Materials Park uniquely conveys the imaginative force that marks the world’s leading society for materials science and engineering. The unique architecture and site concept encompass ASM’s mission and ideas, resulting in a stunning example of Modern Architecture. Hailed nearly 50 years ago for its futuristic design, the building was named one of the “Seven Wonders of Cleveland” in 2006 and is renowned today for its timelessness.
The plan is to perform a complete historic restoration of the headquarters building in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of historic buildings. This rehabilitation will be the first Modern Historic building to be part of the State and Federal Tax credit program. The Chesler Group, Inc. will perform as the developer and general contractor.
