23XI Racing (AirSpeed)

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

23XI Race Shop, dubbed AirSpeed, is the headquarters for a NASCAR team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. AirSpeed sets a new benchmark in racing facility design through the cutting-edge application of tilt-up concrete construction. At its core, the building is a bold architectural statement, realized entirely through custom tilt-up panels that push the boundaries of what this construction method can achieve. A striking two-story, fully glazed entrance serves as a "jewel box," displaying race-winning cars and trophies and offers a glimpse into the high-performance design within. Visitors enter through an exposed concrete portal that opens into a dramatic, expansive lobby—an awe-inspiring space that immediately conveys the power and precision of the brand.

Each exterior tilt panel is meticulously detailed, showcasing the level of sophistication that tilt-up construction can achieve. Custom hand-painted murals of Michael Jordan’s iconic elephant print and the team's speed camo, set against a wood plank form liner adds rich texture and a layered experience for visitors — a bold brand pattern from a distance and a detailed sense of motion up close. Above this tactile base, a black ACM-wrapped crown rises, highlighted by color-changing LED lighting that simulates the energy and motion of a racetrack. The design precision is further underscored by windows and reveals in the panels angled exactly at 23-degrees—a nod to the team’s identity—symbolizing speed, forward movement, and the technical rigor of motorsports.

This project redefines the possibilities of tilt-up concrete construction—not only as a structural system, but as a fully expressive architectural medium. It proves that tilt-up can deliver not only efficiency and durability, but also elegance, complexity, and motion, capturing the relentless innovation and competitive spirit of 23XI Racing.

***Notable awards to date include...

• Charlotte Business Journal’s 2024 Heavy Hitters in Commercial Real Estate
• Tilt-Up Concrete Association's 2024 Tilt-Up Video Award - Grand Jury Prize

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

The 23XI Race Shop overcame significant challenges related to schedule, permitting, site conditions, a complex tilt-up design along with 67,000 SF of meticulously detailed shop space and 47,000 SF of Class A office space. Interior and exterior construction from the ground up was completed in just over 10 months. Ground-breaking took place 2/15/23 and despite significant soil remediation issues requiring undercut and the removal of more than 25,000 cubic yards of unsuitables, the project achieved full occupancy on 12/28/23.

Meeting this timeline was critical, as team operations had to begin sharply on January 1, 2024, in preparation for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season. Initial site delays noticeably compressed the construction schedule, demanding precise coordination across all trades.

The tilt-up panels presented their own unique challenges, featuring 23-degree angled reveals, wood form liners, and integrated storefronts—all now requiring expedited completion with exceptionally tight tolerances, as field verification was no longer an option. Storefronts, curtain walls, and ACM panels had to be released with the understanding that the panels would be formed and poured to exact hold-to dimensions. Panels were also cast 1.5 inches apart but erected with only ¾-inch spacing between panels, therefore requiring extraordinary attention to vertical reveals and their final alignment. As if these factors weren’t enough, a steel delivery date was rapidly approaching, ultimately causing the allowed duration for tilt construction to be condensed by weeks. Despite the significant schedule constraints, the team delivered a highly technical and visually striking, world-class tilt-up facility—on time and on budget.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

23XI Race Shop featured numerous engineering complexities and design innovations that pushed the boundaries of tilt-up concrete construction. Among the most notable was the accelerated sequencing of panel erection. To meet a fast-tracked steel delivery, panels were cast and lifted in three phases, with erection beginning immediately upon achieving required concrete strength. This strategy exemplified tight coordination and a fast-paced construction approach.

The aggressive schedule was further underscored by the successful completion of the highway-facing section in time for the high-visibility Memorial Day weekend race. Panel erection began just days prior, highlighting the precision and responsiveness of the team under pressure.

Architecturally, the panels incorporated a sophisticated blend of textures and geometries. A wood form liner was applied to the lower half of every panel, requiring exceptional accuracy during casting to ensure consistent alignment across the facade. Diagonal reveals added a second layer of complexity—their visual continuity depended on exact dimensional control and careful coordination between panels. As a tribute to the teams Co-Owner, Michael Jordan, these reveals were placed precisely at 23-degrees and often intersected with angled windows demanding high-level detailing and custom formwork integration.

Panel sizes varied significantly, with the heaviest weighing 136,330 pounds. Despite their mass and intricacy, all panels were erected on the compressed timeline without compromising quality or precision. The seamless integration of multiple architectural elements—angled reveals, textured surfaces, large window openings, and substantial panel weights—combined with the accelerated schedule, showcases the exceptional engineering and craftsmanship required to deliver this one-of-a-kind tilt-up concrete racing facility.