Sustainable Lab Design Using Private Developers: A New Challenge and An Improved Approach

Daniel Arons and Eric Mollo-Christensen, Tsoi/Kobus & Associates

Abstract:

Just when sustainability advocates thought they understood the dynamics and complexities of lab building design, a new partner has emerged: the private developer. Institutions are increasingly enlisting developers to provide the financial benefits of arm's length transactions, as well as shortened delivery times, lowered risks, and increased flexibility. The project delivery method that outside developers offer, provides the expertise, capital, and management abilities necessary to deliver these large and complex facilities; it also introduces new challenges to achieving sustainability. Beyond knowing the latest in technological solutions, successful implementation of sustainable goals in lab projects requires an understanding of the motivations, history, and inherent financial forces that are driving this project delivery approach.

In this session an improved model will be presented that builds upon the developer model and incorporates broad project objectives into the balance of first cost, life cycle cost, and long-term function. Sustainable issues will be presented in the context of laboratory design with a discussion of the relative priorities of energy, materials, cost, function, indoor environmental quality, and safety.

The perspectives of team members will be discussed including that of owners, designers, building users, contractors, and their new partner, the developer. Barriers to innovation in labs including technical, financial, regulatory and psychological, will be identified and particular emphasis will be given to overcoming the new challenges presented by a financially-based approach, with an eye to capitalizing on opportunities created from the new approach Examples from both the academic and corporate sectors will be provided.

Biography:

Not available at this time.