Sandia National Laboratories MESA Project: Following the Labs21 Approach and Progress Made

Ralph Wrons, P.E., Sandia National Laboratories
Stefan Kesler, Carter + Burgess

Abstract:

The Microsystems and Engineering Sciences Application (MESA) project at Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, New Mexico) is a 377,000 GSF multi-building complex which began design in February 2001. Sandia signed up as a Pilot Partner in Laboratories for the 21st Century, agreeing to follow the Labs 21 approach in the design of the MESA Complex (http://mesa.sandia.gov/mesa/overview.htm).

The project involves a cleanroom facility and associated materials science laboratory and computational/ visualization laboratory, in support of microsystems research and production. With assistance from the Labs 21 support team in 2000, Sandia facilities staff members were successful in including aggressive energy and water use reduction goals in the project design criteria, such as 30% reduction in energy use index (BTU/GSF/year) compared to existing, similar facilities.

Several reviews were made during the formation of the Conceptual Design Report, to include language that would pave the way for the aggressive goals in the design criteria. The next key step was holding a unique Energy Programming workshop at the outset of the design criteria development, involving many of the stakeholders in the project. Numerous energy performance metrics were assigned to the large energy-using systems of the facility. An energy metering plan and full building commissioning was also required. Resource efficient design was made an evaluation criterion for the bidding A/E firms. A design charrette was held early in schematic design to validate and gain buy-in of the advanced energy and water efficiency goals. A follow-up design progress meeting confirmed the project would follow the LEED™ rating criteria and seek a LEED™ rating.

The project is scheduled for design completion about the time of the 2002 Labs21 conference. At the 30% milestone of the construction documents phase, each of the three buildings were scoring in the silver range, with one of buildings "in the hunt" for a gold rating. This presentation will cover the steps taken to include advanced resource efficiency as a measure of the project's progress, as well as discussing barriers, compromises, successes and other lessons learned of the process.

Biographies:

Not available at this time.