by ArchitectureWeek

"It's not easy being green," is the conclusion of Flad & Associates, when they're designing for a high-tech pharmaceutical research and development company. Yet their new building for Pharmacia has demonstrated that it's possible to be "green" while still providing an attractive, safe, and professionally supportive environment for scientists.

The newest addition to the company's research campus in Skokie, Illinois has scored impressive points on the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and R&D Magazine selected it to receive Special Mention for Sustainability and Lab Planning in this year's "lab of the year" competition.

The 176,000-square-foot (16,000-square-meter) Pharmacia "Building Q" has already won praise from its occupants, who appreciate its spatial support for creativity and collaboration, and from its owner, who will save an estimated $800,000 per year in energy costs. The facility is expected to consume nearly 40 percent less energy than similar lab facilities

A Plan for Collaboration

This facility unites Pharmacia's existing campus by providing a missing circulation link between facilities. Pedestrians can now walk between campus buildings entirely under cover. The exterior of the new building is understated, to blend with its surroundings. More design attention was focused inside.

The building's layout was planned to maximize the interaction and collaboration among scientists of different disciplines, studying metabolism, toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and process development.

Pharmacia's new building, designed by Flad & Associates, has an understated exterior to blend in with the surrounding campus. Photo: Hedrich Blessing Professional interactions among scientists are promoted by two atria, informal seating, an open stair, and a series of laboratory "neighborhoods." Photo: Hedrich Blessing   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.