The DuPont Experimental Station, one of the world’s earliest and most influential industrial R&D campuses, has been a center of scientific advancement for more than a century. To continue this legacy, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company selected STV to design the Wilmington Global Innovation Center (WGIC), a three‑story, 60,000‑square‑foot facility created through the adaptive reuse of a former library structure. The new hub introduces modern research and collaboration environments into a historic industrial campus, offering conference rooms, breakout spaces, open offices, display areas, collaboration labs, lounges and a fitness center. The design emphasizes creativity, discovery and teamwork throughout the space.
What challenges did STV address?
Transforming a historic library into a leading‑edge innovation center required balancing preservation with functionality. DuPont sought a flexible environment that would support interdisciplinary research while reinforcing the site’s heritage as a global center for discovery. This meant carefully integrating updated building systems, programming needs, and modern spatial layouts into an existing brick-and-concrete framework without compromising its structural character.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV provided comprehensive design services including programming, preliminary and final design, and post-design support. The team developed a spatial strategy that accommodates diverse working modes – formal collaboration, informal interaction and focused research – all within a renovated structure designed for longevity and adaptability. The project also incorporated new landscaping and outdoor amenities that extend the innovation environment beyond the building footprint.
How does this project benefit the region?
The WGIC reinforces Wilmington’s position as a global center of scientific innovation. By modernizing a historic facility and expanding the campus’s research capabilities, the project strengthens DuPont’s future‑focused mission and serves as a model for innovation centers across its global portfolio. The upgraded facility supports continued scientific breakthroughs, workforce development, and economic vitality in the region.
Key stats and accolades
- 60,000 sf adaptive reuse of a historic library
- 3‑story innovation hub featuring labs, offices, and collaboration spaces
- Part of a 50‑building, 2.77M sf research campus
- Blueprint for future DuPont innovation centers worldwide
