For the Rockefeller Group Development Corporation (RGDC), an office building is more than just another business expense. Rockefeller Group Corporate Park, Building 105, the latest addition to Rockefeller Group's Florham Park campus, takes advantage of the natural setting of the corporate park's wooded campus to project a positive image and a pleasant work environment for its new corporate tenants.

RGDC's efforts earned the group an NJBIA 2002 New Good Neighbor Award yesterday."RGDC's goal is to create an appealing environment to which companies would wish to locate, which in turn creates jobs and further stimulates the economy," said Barbara Kauffman, executive vice president of the Regional Business Partnership, which nominated the project. "RGDC achieves this by understanding that commercial office buildings are no longer regarded as merely an expense of doing business, but instead are looked upon as playing a critical role in the implementation of a successful business plan."

"With room for more than 700 employees, Building 105 is an example of a project that can enhance a community both economically and aesthetically," NJBIA President Joe Gonzalez said. "It not only blends in beautifully with the Rockefeller Group's wooded campus, but it will provide hundreds of jobs as well."

Architect Cooper Robertson and Partners of New York City and builder Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corp of Pine Brook designed and built Building 105 in the shape of a boomerang, allowing it to nestle into the landscape. One side is built into the side of a hill, reducing the height and mass of the building, while the required parking is interwoven with existing wetland features to minimize its visual impact.

Pronounced horizontal rooflines complement the rolling landscape, and precast concrete construction creates a variety of window patterns within a highly articulated façade.

All in all, 705 workers spent 14 months to construct the $25 million, 221,000-square-foot building.

The RGDC also strives towards good corporate citizenship, providing land for various youth athletics and making the corporate park available for a March of Dimes Walk that raises more than $260,0000 annually. RGDC itself contributed more than $60,000 in charitable and community gifts in 2001.

The Building 105 project was honored June 11 at NJBIA's Annual New Good Neighbor Awards Luncheon at the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place in Iselin.

The New Good Neighbor Awards program, now celebrating its 42nd year, recognizes newly built or renovated facilities that have created jobs and contributed to the quality of life in their communities. This year's 13 winners were selected from 45 projects that represent more than $1 billion in combined construction value and will house 13,600 permanent full-time workers.