The North Carolina Research Campus is an extensive mixed-use redevelopment
and economic revitalization anchored by leading-edge biotechnical research.
The 350-acre site encompasses the entire downtown area of Kannapolis, North
Carolina, approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte, and includes the former
Cannon Mills/Pillowtex facilities that were demolished to make room for the new
campus. The project is driven by David Murdock’s vision for a campus centered
on biotechnical and nutrition-focused research that offers urbanized live/work
options for researchers, hands-on educational experiences for local students,
and employment and business opportunities for area citizens, particularly those
formerly involved in the textile industry.
The master plan and landscape design created by LandDesign reflects the
architectural style of the existing downtown and the client’s desire to build a
Jeffersonian campus that serves as a walkable urban extension of the town center.
The campus is the heart of the plan with its state-of-the-art laboratory space
expected upon completion to be home to over 100 biotechnology companies.
To facilitate groundbreaking health and nutrition research, a partnership has been
forged between Dole Foods, Duke University, North Carolina State University and
the University of North Carolina. The campus also will be home to Laboratory
Corporation of America, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the Girls School of
Science and Mathematics (directed by UNC Charlotte), and the Kannapolis City
Hall. The core laboratory and research buildings will contain approximately 677,000
square feet of space, while the city facilities will involve 250,000 square feet.
Adjacent to the research campus is a medical office district (approximately 1.2
million square feet), lifestyle/retail center and residential areas. The lifestyle/retail
center is anchored by a hotel, cinema and national chain retail, with above-street
office and residential units. Residential units are integrated throughout the master
plan, and consist of single-family residences, townhomes, condominiums, apartments
and child-care facilities. Enhancing the entire site are extensive public parks and
greenways, including a series of pocket and connector parks. Travel throughout the
campus is encouraged by extensive pedestrian and bike routes.
LandDesign, in collaboration with the architect, developed the master plan, design
guidelines, and construction documents for the North Carolina Research Campus
and surrounding properties, as well as providing construction administration and
coordinating multiple public improvements. The master plan underscores the continuity
between old and new, with street networks, building districts, parking and open spaces
directly linked to existing retail areas to encourage economic growth and stability.
Other key objectives of the project include economic revitalization of the city of
Kannapolis and adjoining areas that suffered from the decline of the previous textile
manufacturing base, as well as establishment of a regional research hub that will
support the continuing emergence of the biotechnology industry in North Carolina.
Sustainability also is a primary focus, with LEED-based approaches and green
building widely utilized. One significant challenge is implementation of effective
sustainable utility systems for the entire campus and downtown area.