Graft – Adaptive Reuse

This 1,000 foot long industrial building was creatively transformed into a flexible, engaging, and marketable office spaces that accommodate future expansion while reducing the need for stormwater management mitigation. Inspired by the horticultural technique of grafting, the design team employed this biomimicry tactic to clean, lift, pinch, pull and unify the existing structure. Neighborhood “groves” create a vibrant experience with flexible leasing options and also increase the project area in a reduced building footprint, resulting in added value. By creating mindful, appropriately sized office spaces, this project will significantly decrease energy costs and increase tenant comfort.

Design Challenge

Challenge/Solution/Impact Located on a 95-acre parcel in Research Triangle Park, this 1,000 foot long industrial building was once home to Nortel Network’s distribution center. The new owner challenged the design team to creatively transform the property into a flexible, engaging, and marketable office space that could accommodate future expansion. Inspired by the horticultural technique of grafting, the design team employed this biomimicry tactic to clean, lift, pinch, pull and unify the existing structure. Newly created neighborhoods, or “groves”, will not just create a vibrant experience with flexible leasing options, but also increase the project area in a reduced building footprint, resulting in added value. By creating mindful, appropriately-sized office spaces, this project will significantly decrease energy costs and increase tenant comfort. From a community standpoint, this development will have an incredible opportunity to connect with the Research Triangle Park master plan and adjacent retail districts, as well as re-energize this area for the future. The project addresses the following issues: Water; reduction in stormwater management mitigation. Ecology, increasing native landscapes encourage repopulation of native animal life and insect species. Energy; target EUI of 30/31, 73% of building is daylit, incorporation of courtyard water features to cool exterior spaces, green roof and new landscaping reduces heat gain, roof area incorporates PV and solar hot water generation. Resources; reuse of existing buildings, utilize reclaimed charred lumber for building cladding. Wellness; incorporate on building pathways that connect to district-wide trail systems. Change; expand vertically rather than horizontally.

Physical Context

Challenge/Solution/Impact Located on a 95-acre parcel in Research Triangle Park, this 1,000 foot long industrial building was once home to Nortel Network’s distribution center. The new owner challenged the design team to creatively transform the property into a flexible, engaging, and marketable office space that could accommodate future expansion. Inspired by the horticultural technique of grafting, the design team employed this biomimicry tactic to clean, lift, pinch, pull and unify the existing structure. Newly created neighborhoods, or “groves”, will not just create a vibrant experience with flexible leasing options, but also increase the project area in a reduced building footprint, resulting in added value. By creating mindful, appropriately-sized office spaces, this project will significantly decrease energy costs and increase tenant comfort. From a community standpoint, this development will have an incredible opportunity to connect with the Research Triangle Park master plan and adjacent retail districts, as well as re-energize this area for the future. The project addresses the following issues: Water; reduction in stormwater management mitigation. Ecology, increasing native landscapes encourage repopulation of native animal life and insect species. Energy; target EUI of 30/31, 73% of building is daylit, incorporation of courtyard water features to cool exterior spaces, green roof and new landscaping reduces heat gain, roof area incorporates PV and solar hot water generation. Resources; reuse of existing buildings, utilize reclaimed charred lumber for building cladding. Wellness; incorporate on building pathways that connect to district-wide trail systems. Change; expand vertically rather than horizontally.