Headquarters for 23XI Racing exemplifies advanced detailing, accelerated sequencing, and expressive form in modern tilt-up construction.
The 23XI Racing headquarters, known as AirSpeed, in North Carolina serves as the operational hub for the NASCAR team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Recognized with Excellence in Achievement honors, the project establishes a new benchmark for the application of tilt-up construction in high-performance facilities. Combining 67,000 square feet of race shop space with 47,000 square feet of Class A offices, the building embodies the precision, speed, and innovation central to the team’s identity.
From its fully glazed two-story “jewel box” entry displaying championship cars to its bold architectural expression realized entirely through custom tilt-up panels, AirSpeed demonstrates tilt-up’s capacity for both structural efficiency and aesthetic sophistication. Each panel was carefully detailed, featuring hand-painted murals of Jordan’s iconic elephant print and the team’s speed camo layered over wood plank form liners to achieve a tactile, dynamic surface. A black ACM-wrapped crown with color-changing LED lighting accentuates the form and conveys the energy of motion. Throughout the façade, angled reveals and windows set precisely at 23 degrees reference the team’s brand while emphasizing movement and technical rigor.
The project’s success required extraordinary coordination to overcome schedule and site challenges. Construction began in February 2023 and achieved full occupancy by late December of the same year, despite extensive soil remediation involving the removal of over 25,000 cubic yards of unsuitable material. With team operations set to begin January 1, 2024, the condensed timeline demanded exceptional precision. Panels were cast just 1.5 inches apart but erected with ¾-inch spacing, requiring meticulous control of reveals and alignment. Tilt-up construction was completed within weeks of steel delivery, a feat made possible by early sequencing and tight integration across trades.
Engineering complexities further illustrated the potential of tilt-up as both structure and skin. Panels varied in size, with the heaviest weighing over 136,000 pounds, and were cast and erected in three rapid phases to meet the fast-track schedule. The façade’s combination of wood textures, diagonal reveals, and angled openings required custom formwork and high-level craftsmanship. Completing the highway-facing façade in time for Memorial Day weekend underscored the team’s precision under pressure and the adaptability of tilt-up systems in complex, time-sensitive projects.
AirSpeed demonstrates tilt-up concrete’s versatility as an expressive and high-performance building system—one capable of capturing both the speed and sophistication of modern motorsport culture while achieving remarkable efficiency and technical excellence.
This article was generated based on content submitted during the Tilt-Up Achievement Awards program.
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