At UCB, people are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to delivering moments that matter for people living with severe and rare diseases – both now and in the future – is lived out in how we invest in our people and using sustainability to guide our business approach. 

Our commitment in both areas is exemplified through the ongoing renewal of our U.S. headquarters located in Atlanta. We are proud to announce our Atlanta campus, specifically our new Warehouse buildout, was recently awarded the prestigious LEED Gold and WELL Platinum certifications that are tangible proof of our corporate commitment to green building efforts and supporting our employee’s health, safety, and well-being. 

These certifications are the premier standards for green building and enhancing people’s health and well-being through building design. The Atlanta Warehouse is the first dually certified WELL Platinum and LEED Gold pharmaceutical project in the world and is the first WELL Platinum project in Georgia.

Our Atlanta Warehouse earned the WELL Platinum distinction based on ten categories of building performance: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, and Community. The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based certification system that marries best practices in design and construction with evidence-based scientific research.

The LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions, and healthier environments. In the U.S. alone, buildings account for almost 40 percent of national carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but LEED-certified buildings have 34 percent lower CO2 emissions, consume 25 percent less energy and 11 percent less water, and have diverted more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills.

UCB is dedicated to improving technology and energy efficiency in its facilities. 

Our ongoing Atlanta campus renovation starting with the Warehouse has allowed us to embrace several new workplace initiatives to support the development of a greener UCB:

• The Warehouse building has reduced its total energy consumption by 30 percent and does not use any fossil fuel energy sources to further UCB’s commitment to reduce Greenhouse Gas CO2 emissions.
• Two 8,000-gallon cisterns have been installed to capture rainwater for landscape irrigation serving both the Warehouse and elsewhere on campus.
• The Warehouse features a large sustainable kitchen focused on decreasing paper and plastic consumption by incorporating reusable/washable plates, silverware, and glasses. A farm-to-table approach is also used for in-office dining. 

Our Atlanta campus renovation was inspired by the 2018 renovation that began at our global headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, which enabled the launch of UCB’s inspace model—an activity-based work environment that stimulates innovation through enhanced collaboration and co-creation opportunities. inspace has four main work environments with unique design elements and functions. From quiet workspaces that promote individual tasks and confidential discussions, to open workspaces that foster connectivity, the four distinctly designed areas within inspace allow employees to tailor their environment to best suit their activities. 
 

Implementing the inspace model in our Warehouse building is one step of many as we work toward a more sustainable model and reimagine how UCB employees can best work and collaborate among one another to better create and deliver value for people living with severe diseases.

Overall, the ongoing renewal of our U.S. headquarters reflects our commitment to sustainability while investing in the local economy and minimizing our environmental impact in the community. We are proud to be a part of the greater Atlanta community and help drive local growth and awareness in the healthcare community. We are investing up to $47.5 million to expand and improve our campus, and the first phase of our investment is expected to bring continued growth to UCB’s Atlanta workforce. 

I am proud of how the Atlanta Warehouse is positively impacting our employees, the people we serve, and the environment. It is only the first step of many as UCB creates a sustainable model in both the greater Atlanta community and globally.