North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Transforms Reedy Creek Lab Campus

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is renovating and expanding the Reedy Creek Laboratory campus in Raleigh. The $65 million initiative will modernize critical facilities and optimize workflows to support the wide range of services and tests that protect the health, safety, and welfare of state residents. Designed by HH Architecture, the updated complex will transform essential community infrastructure and provide future capacity for evolving program needs. 

Across the existing chemistry, water quality, and air quality buildings, 53,000 sf of space will be renovated to offer modular laboratory settings, offices, and conference areas. These dynamic research zones will enable vital work in nutrients and wet chemistry, algae, VOCs, extractions, PFAs, and biochemistry. A 33,000-sf addition will dedicate 10,800 sf to labs focusing on metals, microbiology, and air quality, complemented by administrative environments, a hearing room for public meetings, and a center for visitors that will put science on display.  

Targeting Green Globes certification, the sustainably designed complex will integrate advanced HVAC sytstems, energy-efficient walls and windows, and a depolluting roof system. A portion of the existing air quality facility will be repurposed as a central power plant, and photovoltaic arrays will generate 33 percent of the electricity needed by the office development. 

Maintaining full operational continuity for the scientists on site, Skanska is the construction manager for the campus, with HERA Laboratory Planners and Integrated Design, PA supplying lab planning expertise. The engineering team comprises Affiliated Engineers, Inc (AEI), Lynch Mykins (now IMEG) McAdams, Dewberry, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Other project consultants include Thorburn Associates, Palacio Collaborative, and S&ME. Occupancy is anticipated in January of 2028.