Project Overview
Project 1: Glaxo Inc.’s Research & Development Headquarters
Designed as a “Village in the Woods,” the Glaxo Research & Development (RTP) campus followed the natural contours of North Carolina’s rolling hills. The project, consisting of ten mid-rise buildings, required a cost-effective yet high-quality facade solution. Precast concrete was chosen over more expensive materials, offering a comparable aesthetic at a third of the cost.
Principal architect Binh Vinh, emphasized that buildings must relate to their environment, reflecting both their natural surroundings and the functional needs of users. The precast concrete facade achieved this vision through a modular design featuring deep and shallow reveals, bullnoses, and varying textures to mimic natural stone. The panel scoring gave the concrete a granite-like appearance, enhancing the human scale and handcrafted feel of the campus.
The use of precast concrete allowed for complex architectural forms, including serpentine walls, channel shapes, and textured stone-like bases. Four distinct colors created a seamless transition from dark, rugged bases to lighter upper precast concrete facades. The project’s scale challenged the precast concrete producer, GATE Precast, but their craftsmanship, efficiency, and quality ensured success. 4,258 precast concrete pieces were used on this project, covering 414,000 square feet.
Project 2: GlaxoSmithKline Global Medicines Research Centre
Impressed by the durability and aesthetic quality of the precast concrete panels used in RTP, Glaxo opted for a similar solution in the United Kingdom. Construction took place between 1990-1995. The Stevenage campus became the largest and most sophisticated pharmaceutical facility in Europe at the time.
Despite being an overseas project, GATE Precast played a critical role in delivering over 500,000 square feet of precast concrete. A full-scale panel mock-up was shipped to the UK, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the finish. Given England’s climate and outdoor pollutants, stainless steel connections and internal drainage systems were incorporated for enhanced durability.
Glaxo’s projects in the U.S. and U.K. stand as enduring examples of precast concrete’s longevity and adaptability. Over 30 years later, both campuses continue to function efficiently, proving that high-quality precast concrete can withstand the test of time while maintaining its architectural appeal.
In July 2021, GlaxoSmithKline announced plans to expand its Stevenage campus, creating 5,000 new jobs over the next decade—while the original precast concrete structures remain in full operation.
These projects are a testament to the innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability that precast concrete offers, ensuring that buildings remain timeless, efficient, and resilient for decades to come. |