SAN DIEGO (May 1, 2025) – Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, today announced that construction is complete on Gillespie Field iPark, a built-to-suit manufacturing facility for GKN Aerospace and distribution speculative suite located near Gillespie Field public airport in El Cajon, Calif. Ware Malcomb provided architectural, interior design, and civil engineering services for the 380,000 square foot industrial project, the largest in the city’s history.
The new industrial development showcases a collaboration between Ware Malcomb, Del Mar-based developer Chesnut Properties, general contractor C2 Building Group, structural engineer Prime Engineering, landscape architect Ridge Landscaping, and utility consultant NV5. The manufacturing tenant, GKN Aerospace, is a leading global tier-one supplier of aftermarket repair, airframe and engine structures, landing gear, electrical interconnection systems and transparencies.
“The project showcases a seamless blend of form and function, with its unique aviation-themed architecture and sustainable design elements,” said Robert Park, Director, Architecture, Ware Malcomb.
Employing tilt-up concrete construction, the industrial building’s exterior architectural features include unique custom canopies that required intricate structural elements, as well as a mural made from steel perforated panels inspired from a photo of a World War II aircraft training at Gillespie Field. Despite airport-related height constraints, the project achieved its interior clear height goal while integrating a variety of sustainability features such as solar panels, energy-efficient equipment, natural ventilation, and daylighting. More than 50 EV charging stations are also featured on site.
The interiors are divided between a speculative distribution suite and GKN Aerospace’s manufacturing facility, which also incorporates a variety of aviation-themed elements. GKN’s interior design includes a two-story lobby, mezzanine, conference rooms with wing-like light fixtures, break areas, technical labs, a green interior wall mural showcasing their jet engine work, and a climate-conditioned manufacturing warehouse. GKN brand elements include blue and yellow accents, canopies, and dark, modern aviation motif accents throughout. Sound transmission ratings were closely followed to shield interiors from any nearby airport noise.
“The project exterior and interior reflect a unique aviation theme inspired by its proximity to Gillespie Field, once a World War II Marine Corps paratrooper training site,” said Angela Ryan, Principal, Ware Malcomb. “The developer, design team, subcontractors and vendors successfully overcame a variety of challenges to honor the site’s history and demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Ware Malcomb’s civil engineering team overcame multiple challenges grading a 30-acre site comprised of hard rock hills, while still preserving sensitive wetland habitats and maintaining compliance with Federal Aviation Administration height limits. The team incorporated a biofiltration pond with vegetation on site to filtrate and treat site runoff water from pollutants.
About Ware Malcomb (waremalcomb.com)
Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a contemporary and expanding full-service design firm providing professional architecture, planning, interior design, civil engineering, branding and building measurement services to corporate, commercial/residential developer and public/institutional clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of office, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, multifamily, retail, and public/institutional projects. The firm is also ranked among the top 10 architecture/engineering firms in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and the top 30 interior design firms in Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants. For more information, visit waremalcomb.com.
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Ware Malcomb San Diego
3911 Sorrento Valley Blvd. Suite 120
San Diego, CA 92121
858.638.7277
