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The Green Evolution: One Firm's Sustainable Laboratory
Design Journey
Caroline Spigelski, Diamond and Schmitt Architects,
Inc.
This presentation will provide an overview of institutional research
facilities designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. over
the past two decades, demonstrating how the growing importance of
sustainability has affected the firm's approach to the design of
laboratory building.
The projects under discussion include three urban infill projects
at universities situated in the downtown core of two Canadian cities
and two suburban campuses. The first of these projects is the 300,000
square foot University of Toronto Earth Sciences Complex, completed
in 1988. This project occupies a city block and demonstrates that
a large project can be integrated into the urban fabric and increase
density without detrimental effects on the neighborhood.
Another infill project at the University of Toronto involved situating
a new 3-story, chemistry research facility on the roof of an existing
2-story building. The 55,000 square foot Davenport Building addition
at the Lash Miller Chemistry Laboratory Complex, was completed in
2000 with minimum disruption to the facility below and represents
a significant improvement in energy efficiency and working conditions
in a pleasant, collaborative environment, which has proved to be
one of the faculties best tools for recruiting new research staff.
The University of British Columbia's Life Sciences Centre represents
the current state of Diamond and Schmitt Architects exploration
of sustainable design concepts. This 575,000 square foot building,
scheduled for occupancy in August 2004, embodies all of the principles
of the Labs21 Approach. The project has a target of LEED™ Gold
certification.
Findings:
The major lesson learned during the projects above and culminating
in the UBC LSC is that the cost of an integrated design approach,
embodying sustainable principles, is far outweighed by the savings
in operating costs over the life of the building.
Using resources, such as the Seattle lighting lab, which was employed
to test daylighting options using virtual, scale model, and full
size lab mockup and extensive use of energy modeling at every stage
from initial site planning and massing design to envelope, mechanical
and electrical systems design ensured appropriate consideration
of first time capital expense against life cycle costing models.
At the UBC LSC a unique system to provide a low cost, less material
intensive interstitial floor above the 85,000 square foot vivarium
was developed. This system uses traditional residential framing
techniques using metal components and fiberglass faced gypsum board,
both with a high recycled content, within an 18' floor to floor
basement space. This allows independent access to all mechanical
and electrical systems serving this barrier facility.
Labs21 Connection:
- Sustainable approach to brownfield site, site remediation, demolition
and construction methods specified to encourage recycling, lessen
environmental impact and dovetails into building commissioning
to insure best possible air quality from demolition to occupancy.
- Lighting controls, ceiling heights, and finish treatment were
used to reduce capital and operating costs.
- Zoned offices have cascading air supply (offices to lab) which
reuses relatively clean office exhaust air to create negative
pressure in the lab areas reducing the need for exterior conditioned
air.
- Lab air supply is handled with VAV (variable air volume) controls
interconnected with controlled fume hood operations for greatest
efficiency to offset 100 percent lab air exhaust requirement.
- An Automated Building Management System is augmented by occupancy
sensors that work in concert with the VAV system to monitor and
further reduce energy consumption.
- Two large atria offer the benefit of less perimeter envelope
while increasing lab access to natural daylight.
- Condensor water loops and exhaust heat recovery systems serve
to reduce energy consumption.
- Dual flush toilets and waterless urinals are being used to reduce
water consumption, relatively clean process water is being recycled
for other uses.
- Typical lab floor mechanical runs are centralized in the plan,
allowing lighter branch servicing of the perimeter. In addition
to providing serviceability & future flexibility, the resultant
12' high lab ceilings increase daylighting and views.
Biography:
Not available at this time.
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