Plant design emphasizes green

United Therapeutics has pulled out all the green stops in its recently completed facility in Research Triangle Park, NC. The hub-and-spoke building houses manufacturing at the core with R&D and administrative functions as spokes.

The 203,000-square-foot building incorporates green and sustainable design elements engineered to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Some 258 solar panels sit atop the structure; the construction process was geared toward reduced environmental impact, including control of soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation.

The building incorporates low-emitting materials that meet requirements of the Green Label program. Water-efficient landscaping relies on reverse osmosis of reject water for re-use in grounds irrigation. 

O'Neal Inc. provided master planning of the 54-acre site, as well as detailed design of the manufacturing facility. The design contractor's experience in potent compound solid dose manufacturing was a critical factor in O'Neal's selection for the project, according to a company announcement.

- here's the announcement
- see photo gallery