Introduction to Sustainable Strategies for Laboratory Planning, Design, and Operation

Given the COVID-19 pandemic and recent social justice events, it’s easy to lose sight of the long-term issue of climate change. And although many stay-at-home requirements resulted in more clean air over Los Angeles and Beijing, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions only dropped about 5 percent earlier this year. Just like the pandemic, with a global threat such as climate change, it requires everyone to work together. This workshop will discuss how we can continue our efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions in lab buildings.

This full-day workshop will introduce strategies for planning and designing lab facilities that are flexible and adaptable over time, that support environmental and economic sustainability and human health. It will cover setting up a comprehensive energy management master plan, as well as tips and tools for constructing and operating sustainable laboratories, both new and renovated. These strategies can help lower your lab building’s energy use by 50 percent or more. We will also discuss strategies for selling your energy efficiency and sustainability programs to upper management and describe several strategies for alternative financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

A seasoned laboratory designer and energy efficiency engineer will cover topics that include the architecture, lab planning, and engineering systems of high-performance laboratories:

  • Laboratory planning ideas for improving sustainability and energy efficiency
  • The architecture and engineering design of high-performance laboratories
  • The energy-efficient HVAC design process
  • Water conservation and lighting design strategies
  • Financing options for energy conservation and renewable energy projects
  • Case studies
  • Resources and tools

 

Who Should Attend This Workshop?

Laboratory professionals from all backgrounds are encouraged to attend this course because it gives a good introduction to laboratory sustainability and energy efficiency and why they are such important issues. Laboratory professionals encouraged to attend include but are not limited to:

  • Architects and lab planners
  • Engineers
  • Facility owners, managers, and operations and maintenance staff
  • Project managers
  • Construction/contracting managers
  • Laboratory equipment manufacturers
  • LEED®-accredited professionals
  • Safety, health, and environmental management professionals
  • Laboratory users
  • Students in any of the above-mentioned fields

While designed as an introductory course, those familiar with sustainable laboratory design are also welcome to attend and contribute to the Q&A.

 

Course Materials

As part of the course, each participant will receive detailed course materials and will also be encouraged to use the I2SL Best Practices and Smart Labs Tool Kits as a further resource to meet their sustainable design goals.

 

Instructors

Dan Doyle is the chairman of Grumman/Butkus Associates, a firm of nationally recognized energy management consultants and sustainable design engineers located in Evanston, Illinois. For the past 40 years, Dan’s career has focused on energy conservation and efficiency improvements in new and existing buildings, especially energy-intensive and mission-critical facilities, such as laboratories, hospitals, data centers, and specialized manufacturing facilities. Dan was recently named an ASHRAE Fellow and served as president of the Illinois chapter of ASHRAE. He served as a board member of I2SL from 2007 to 2022.

Punit Jain is a LEED Fellow and leader in the science, technology, and sustainability practices at CannonDesign. Punit brings extensive experience in the integration of systems, spaces, and experiences for higher education, corporate, and federal clients. Having designed over 25 LEED projects in the life sciences, engineering and physical sciences, he is responsible for generating innovative solutions in regenerative and net zero design for complex scientific facilities at a campus and building scale. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a Masters in Architecture and Construction Management and a thought leader, Punit frequently presents at national and international conferences. He has served on the national board of the U.S. Green Building Council and was honored with the 2010 I2SL Go Beyond Award for his sustainable laboratory design efforts. He now serves on the national board of I2SL and the advisory board of the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA).

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