EDA pa was responsible for all architectural, civil and structural design with plumbing, mechanical and electrical design provided under a design-build contract. EDA prepared all construction documents required to receive building permits from Durham County and the Department of Health, Environmental and Natural Resources of the State of North Carolina. The scope of our work included the preparation of a recombination map for Research Commons to become a 60-acre campus on which 4101 is to be located.

The design of the building was required to meet several goals established by the owner. One was to allow this eighth building to be adjacent to the first building on the campus built in 1975. Also, this new building was not to overshadow the architecture of the first building on the perimeter of the campus, and at the same time maintain the high technology profile established by being the latest designed building. Thus, the 4101 building was to be a link between the past and present architectural styles on campus. Another goal expressed by the owner was to establish a building design that had no apparent rear elevation. The intersection of Interstate 40, the Durham Freeway and existing roadways that approached site provided for a "front" elevation on all sides. Thus, being an important entrance to the Research Triangle Park, the siting of the building was crucial.