GlaxoSmithKline officially opened its new double LEED Platinum certified facility in Philadelphiaās Navy Yard Corporate Center earlier today, ushering in a new era of how people work in Philadelphia.Ā Employees, families and friends celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony with GSK President of North America Pharmaceuticals Deirdre Connelly, Liberty Property Trust Chief Executive Officer Bill Hankowsky, Synterra Partners Principal Bill Wilson, design architect Robert A.M. Stern, workplace strategist and interior architect Francis Cauffman Principal John Campbell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.
āOur new work space is designed to inspire and connect people,ā says Deirdre Connelly, President, North America Pharmaceuticals, GSK. āMy teammates and I are energized by this new environment, where we can do our best work and collaborate without the constraints of office walls.ā
The 208,000 square foot building at Five Crescent Drive represents an $80 million investment by Liberty Property/Synterra, and an investment of approximately $70 million by GSK. GSK has signed a 15.5-year lease at the building, which includes a four-story central atrium, a monumental stairway, a coffee shop, cafeteria, fitness center, meeting centers and a large multi-purpose room.
āGSKās new facility reflects the reality of The Navy Yard: it is a Philadelphia magnet for creative, forward-looking companies,ā said Bill Hankowsky, Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Property Trust. āInnovation and growth are now synonymous with this dynamic environment.ā
Ā
Photo: Francis Dzikowski / Esto for Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP
Ā
The four-story, glass-encased building with an open floor plan and grand central staircase has been awarded both Core & Shellā¢ and Commercial Interiorsā¢ LEEDĀ® Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the first double LEEDĀ® Platinum building in Philadelphia. It is anticipated that the innovative building systems will save as much as 30% of energy use when compared to a traditional building.
These substantial energy savings are the result of the state-of-the-art building faƧade and high-performance glass which maximize daylight in winter while reducing heat gain and providing shading in summer. ENERGY STAR-rated lighting and equipment, as well as an astronomical time clock and cloud sensor program, activate the automatic shades on windows to control glare. In addition smart meters track and monitor the buildingās energy and water use and provide ongoing accountability for utility consumption and performance.
Ā
Photo: Francis Dzikowski / Esto for Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP
Ā
āIt was GSKās commitment to Philadelphia that put The Navy Yard well over the 10,000 employee mark,ā said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. āJust 18 months ago we stood here to break ground on this project, and I am thrilled to be here today to celebrate the grand opening of one of the most innovative, healthy, and green work spaces in the US.
Sweeping views of Philadelphia are accessible from nearly 90% of the workspaces. In the office-less layout, employees are located in āneighborhoodsā and can work in a variety of settings throughout the day. These include custom-designed sit-to-stand workstations, team tables, meeting areas, social areas with soft seating, and quiet rooms.
āFrancis Cauffman is very excited to see employees working and interacting throughout the entire building, and to hear the highly positive employee response to their new workplace,ā said John B. Campbell, LEED AP, AIA, RIBA, Principal-in-Charge of Workplace Strategies at Francis Cauffman. āBy creating an open and healthy workplace environment focused on providing the right physical and IT tools with a wide variety of work settings throughout the building, the new workplace has transformed the level of energy, engagement and connectivity across the organization.ā
Ā
Photo: Eric Laignel for Francis Cauffman
Ā
Daily service to and from Center City via The Navy Yard Express Shuttle along with plentiful parking and key amenities, such as parks with Wi-Fi access and recreational activities and the soon-to-be-completed Courtyard by Marriott, a flagship property with an upscale bar and restaurant, attract employees to a unique and vibrant setting.
Innovation and sustainability from top to bottom
Whether one starts on the top of the building, which offers a green rooftop, or at the front door apron which features Five Standards (Dazzle), a Mural Arts Program commissioned piece of public art by Virgil Marti, GlaxoSmithKline at The Navy Yard delivers excitement and energy. The five 16ā x 7ā foot steel and mirror polished stainless steel sculptures resemble looking glasses; their design fitting seamlessly along the GSK facade, which appears as a large transparent ship docked at Five Crescent Drive.
The roof is covered 40% with vegetation and an herb garden provides many benefits including: reducing energy costs by providing natural insulation; absorbing storm water reducing the burden on the public storm water system; offering a beautiful space for events and meetings; and providing additional workspace for employees. High-efficiency, low-flow plumbing fixtures are expected to reduce water use by as much as 50% as compared to a traditional building, which will save an estimated 1.8 million gallons of water per year.?
The buildingās ventilation system provides 30% more fresh air than required by code and monitored by carbon dioxide sensors installed at high-density spaces which increase the amount of fresh air in those spaces as carbon dioxide levels increase. The GSK facility and its grounds have been designated as a non-smoking site.?
For more about the building, visit http://us.gsk.com/html/media-news/navy-yard-press-kit.html.
Photo: Francis Dzikowski / Esto for Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP
Photo: Francis Dzikowski / Esto for Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP
Photo: Eric Laignel for Francis Cauffman
Photo: Eric Laignel for Francis Cauffman
Related Stories
| Jul 15, 2013
Mergers and acquisitions transform engineering sector [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Merger and acquisition deals by MEP, commissioning, structural, and specialty engineering firms were up 14% nationwide in 2012 compared with 2011.
| Jul 15, 2013
Top Engineering/Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Jacobs, AECOM, Parsons Brinckerhoff top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest engineering/architecture firms in the United States.
| Jul 15, 2013
Top Architecture/Engineering Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Stantec, HOK, HDR topĀ Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest architecture/engineering firms in the United States.
| Jul 15, 2013
Top Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, Perkins+Will, NBBJ topĀ Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest architecture firms in the United States.Ā
| Jul 15, 2013
Zaha Hadid unveils plan for boutique condo development in New York
Related Companies taps the London-based architect for the 11-story 520 West 28th Street residential development adjacent to the High Line in Chelsea.
| Jul 12, 2013
12 award-winning healthcare projects [slideshow]
AIA's Academy of Architecture for Health announced the recipients of the 2013 AIA National Healthcare Design Awards.
| Jul 11, 2013
Bill to borrow more for college spending in Michigan criticized due to āhigher-ed bubbleā
An amendment to a Michigan appropriations budget authorizes an increase in state debt to pay for state university construction projects. But some experts see a āhigher education bubbleā on the horizon, and said more taxpayer debt for more buildings is a bad idea.
| Jul 11, 2013
Skanska exits U.S. Chamber of Commerce over LEED controversy
Skanska USA resigned from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over the Chamberās decision to support the American High-Performance Buildings Coalition.Ā
| Jul 11, 2013
DOE releases stricter energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings taking effect in 2014
The Energy Department released stricter energy efficiency standards this month for new federal buildings.Ā