Title: “La Rambla” at Parmer RTP Campus
Location of Proejct: Research Triangle Park, NC
Project Completion Date: 2020
Firm Name: Flad Architects

Short Description: This premier research and development campus consists of two, 200,000-square-foot core and shell buildings designed for multiple life science tenants. Planned for an even division of laboratory and office spaces for tenant fit-up, they feature state-of-the-art office and laboratory assets designed to provide prospective tenants a rare opportunity to lease high-quality scientific workspace. An 11-foot module allows for maximum flexibility and a range of leasable suite sizes and configurations. The 42-acre campus is designed to establish a fully integrated environment with world-class amenities including an amphitheater, fitness trails, a bike share program, outdoor gathering areas, and more.

Architect's Statement: This premier research and development campus is located within the heart of the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, featuring state-of-the-art office and laboratory assets designed to provide prospective tenants a rare opportunity to lease high-quality scientific workspace. The new campus provides world-class amenities including an amphitheater, fitness trails, a bike share program, outdoor gathering areas, and more.

Beginning with a site analysis and master planning effort for the full 42-acre campus, the subsequent two, 200,000-square-foot, multi-tenant core and shell buildings and an 1100-car parking structure are designed to attract innovation and biotechnology companies.

The landscape concept creates a fully integrated environment for life science tenants through meaningful exterior spaces that complement the building design – named La Rambla after the iconic pedestrian way in Barcelona. With emphasis on the pedestrian experience, a dynamic paving and planting design conceals parking areas with natural vegetation.

Both four-story buildings lie perpendicular to La Rambla with a dramatic covered entrance where the buildings intersect with the main exterior pathway. The bridges over La Rambla are planned for shared conference and amenity spaces and are capped by a rooftop terrace and sunshade canopy to capture dramatic views across the park. Leasable spaces at the ends of the core and shell buildings are highly visible from the primary roadway.

The site design concept includes follies in the landscape that will be used for meetings and informal interaction. Tenants throughout the research park can reserve these spaces for meetings and events as well as enjoy them for informal interactions. Envisioned as art in the garden, designs for the free-standing follies will be part of a juried competition for southeastern artists to submit their proposed designs.