The Unisphere: Largest Commercial Net Zero Building in the United States

United Therapeutics (UT) is a publicly traded biotech company with a mission to develop treatments for rare diseases. UT has an overarching commitment to environmental sustainability, which is reflected in the design and operations of our facilities. It strives to create practical, beautiful and inspiring spaces for employees to do their incredibly important work. UT views its buildings as physical manifestations of its values, and there is no better such example than the Unisphere. It is designed to be site net zero energy, meaning that the building generates enough renewable energy onsite to offset 100% of the energy that it consumes over the course of the year. At 135,000 square feet, it is the largest commercial net zero building in the United States. 

To achieve the net zero goal, the facility includes various sustainable features including 3,000 photovoltaic panels, geo-exchange wells, a high-performance curtainwall with electrochromic glazing, an earth-coupled heating/cooling system, an automated natural ventilation system, daylight harvesting, and a thermal pool. Other features include green roof terraces that help reduce rainwater run-off, electric car charging stations, and eco-friendly furniture.