RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – It all started back in 1954 – with a dream and a map.
Business leaders and government officials huddled into the governor’s office, hoping to sway him of the need for a science-centered business park.
Someone pulled out a map, and for the first time they made an observation: the three local universities formed the points of a triangle.
And so it came to be named – the Research Triangle Park anchored by its first building, the Research Triangle Institute.
L-R: William H. Perkins jr.,Samuel C. Ashton , George Watts Hill, , William F. Little, George R. Herbert, in a field, spring 1975
Fast forward to today: that first company in the park, now known as RTI International, is getting ready to usher in its 60th anniversary.
To kick off its year-long celebrations, the institute is unveiling its new headquarters today – a six-story, $66 million building called Horizon at the center of its main campus on Cornwallis Road.
As part of the launch, New York Times columnist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman will give an address.
James J. Gibson, RTI’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, tours RTI’s new Horizon headquarters.
“For the vision that was created back then, you’d think they’d be so pleasantly surprised to know what we’ve done,” said James Gibson, RTI’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, as he toured the new facility ahead of the big launch.
The 190,000-square-foot building is the largest on RTI’s 180-acre campus that currently has 24 buildings.
Together, they form an independent, nonprofit organization that conducts both public and private research studies worldwide on topics of healthcare, education, environment and business. It’s estimated to have raised more than $1 billion in revenue and employs 5000 staff members worldwide, including about 2000 at its RTP campus.
Brad Washabaugh, RTI’s vice president of Facilities Strategic Service, giving a tour of the building’s new first-level Impact Display.
“There’s no-end to the social issues that we address,” Gibson said. “The world’s issues are significant, and we have the same view going forward.
“What we’re going to see is global expansion and tremendous opportunities with our university partners about tackling these complex issues.”
A place for collaboration
The new building, designed by Durham-based Duda/Paine Architects, was designed with scientists and more specifically, collaboration in mind.
Step inside its main foyer, and you are bathed in light thanks to the wall of windows that extend the entire face of the building. Above, multiple pendant lights hang down in the shape of DNA strands.
And to the right, there’s an interactive exhibit featuring RTI’s history back to its founding in 1958.
Horizon’s new cafeteria.
“This is new and vibrant,” said a beaming Gibson, acknowledging that he hoped the new digs would attract the world’s best talent. “We placed our recruiting office downstairs. We want them to see this kind of innovative space.”
Other highlights include a 300-person cafeteria, a coffee bar, multiple collaboration and meeting places, plus a plaza, garden roof terrace, virtual reality lab – and even a treadmill “walk/talk” meeting room.
That’s where you could find analyst Rebecca Shute, 25, on this morning. With her computer resting on a raised desk, she typed away as her feet pounded the tread belt in a brisk walk.
Analyst Rebecca Shute, 25, is taking advantage of RTI’s new treadmill “walk/talk” meeting room.
“We spend eight hours at our desk all day. It’s so nice to be able to try different things,” she said looking up, not breaking her stride.
Certainly, there was an undeniable buzz in the open corridors.
“People are energized and engaged,” said Brad Washabaugh, RTI’s vice president of Facilities Strategic Service. “They see the opportunity to work in a place that is designed for collaboration. Whether you’re Generation X, a Babyboomer or whatever — how you approach your work, there’s a space for you here in this building.”
