United Therapeutics Corporation is an American publicly-traded biotechnology company that specializes in developing innovative therapies for rare diseases. In 2019, the company completed the construction of a new 135,000-square-foot headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Unisphere is a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability, using a variety of energy generation, efficiency, and embodied carbon innovations to reach net zero status. Designed by EwingCole, the Unisphere was regarded as the largest net zero building in the world when it was completed four years ago. According to United Therapeutics, the primary use of the building is “managing the development of an unlimited supply of transplantable organs”, which will be achieved through a mix of office and laboratory space, as well as a highly controlled storage and distribution facility. In this research note, we explore the various factors that have helped United Therapeutics develop net zero buildings and the barriers they have had to overcome during their […]