Addressing Change Quickly: Reinforcing Sustainable
Ideas
Daniel Watch, AIA,
Perkins & Will
After 9/11 laboratory design changed significantly. Labs are now
required to change quickly and affordably to support research teams
in addressing crises such as terrorism, outbreaks, and other potential
disasters. There is a need for efficient, cost-effective lab conversion
and modification, as well as sustainable design for many architects
and clients designing laboratory facilities. The combination of
sustainable ideas with quick-changing labs is successfully being
developed at CDC's new building for the NCEH.
This presentation explains in detail new casework models that are
flexible, affordable and re-enforce research teams' need to create
their own research spaces. The docking stations and service carriages
are discussed with the support of a cost study. Information describing
the creation of "wet" zones for hoods and sinks is presented,
as well as the rationale behind equipment zones that allow researchers
to determine the final design. The presentation also addresses the
importance of locating pump cabinets and cylinders in the interstitial
space in order to afford more bench space in the labs.
Findings:
In planning and designing benchwork and cabinetry to achieve sustainable
laboratory concepts, we discovered that researchers are more than
willing to look at new casework models, especially those models
that give the scientists more efficiency and flexibility.
Another finding that grew out of our goal to design high-performance
laboratory space is that interstitial space has many more benefits
than just acting as a mechanical service area for the engineering
staff. By locating pump cabinets and cylinders in the area, this
often underutilized area is capable of freeing up bench space in
the laboratories. More options for ceiling design and support spaces
leads to more efficient labs.
Also learned was that casework manufacturers are looking for new
ideas and are very willing to work with design team. Creating the
most efficient, flexible, and cost-effective laboratory becomes
the number one goal.
Labs21 Connection:
Principles of the Labs21 Approach to laboratory design are implemented
in several unique ways for benchwork and cabinetry in CDC's new
building for the NCEH. Creating adequate, flexible research space
is always a challenge. Moving pump cabinets and cylinders out of
labs, freezer room, and research corridors and into interstitial
space allows for much more bench space in the laboratories. Fixed
casework zones—fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and sinks—accommodate
the more changeable service carriages and docking stations. Incorporating
single corridor to labs and single corridor in main open labs maximizes
bench space and lab efficiency.
In the area of engineering services, the design allows current
and future occupants to buy what they need, when they need it, where
they need it.
The presentation demonstrates how a sustainable approach to laboratory
design—and specifically, for benchwork and cabinetr—results
in added efficiency and continued improvement throughout the life
of the building. The focus is on one essential element in the overall
design of a high-performance, low-energy laboratory.
Biography:
Daniel D. Watch, AIA, Principal, Perkins & Will Architects,
is a LEED™ 2.0 Accredited Green Building Professional whose
significant international experience and history of award winning
design provides Perkins & Will and its clients a unique talent.
He heads the design efforts in Perkins & Will's Science and
Technology division and is the author of the book Research Laboratories,
published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2001. He has recently
served as guest lecturer on laboratory design to the National Institutes
of Health, Harvard University, Research Triangle Park, and the Academy
of Sciences in Beijing. Other recent projects include: NASA Space
Center Testing Laboratories at Cape Canaveral, Florida, American
Museum of Natural History Genomics Labs in New York, UTMB National
Biocontainment Lab, Seton Hall Science Building, FAU Charles E.
Schmidt Science Center, North Carolina State College of Engineering,
and six new laboratory facilities in China.
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