North Carolina State University Plant Sciences Building Selected as USGBC Carolinas Award Finalist

The North Carolina State University Plant Sciences Building has been selected by USGBC Carolinas as a finalist for their 2023 Community Leadership Awards, which provides the opportunity to showcase project commitments to sustainability. Designed by Flad, the Plant Sciences Building achieved LEED Gold certification through energy-reducing systems and sustainable materials.

The iconic home for the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative, this 185,000-square-foot interdisciplinary science hub features a rooftop greenhouse and two research wings connected by a center core that is designed to support researcher collaborations and social interactions. The building's modern infrastructure implements materials that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life-cycle impacts, supporting the program’s dynamic and future-forward trajectory.

With the goal of achieving a minimum of 30 percent reduction in Energy Use Intensity (EUI) from an ASHRAE 90.1-2010 baseline, the design focuses on energy conservation in three main categories to support and offset the lab and greenhouse operations: HVAC and lighting design, building envelope design, and water conservation. Other sustainability efforts include construction waste reduction and recycling measures, the incorporation of recycled and regionally sourced materials, and indoor air quality improvements using walk-off mats and low VOC finishes.

Award winners will be announced in person at the 2023 Green Gala on October 26th – the event will celebrate people, organizations, and LEED projects making an impact across North and South Carolina.

October 19, 2023