Sustainable Master Planning for Research Facilities and Research Parks

Bruce Haxton, AIA, Ferraro Choi and Associates Ltd

Abstract:

Master planning for research facilities prepares the way for sustainable design of research facilities. It is critical for success that early master planning principles facilitate as many passive sustainable techniques as possible. This approach increases the potential for extreme energy savings related to the architecture and engineering that solutions that are subsequently developed.

Developing a methodology for sustainable master planning for research facilities and research parks must account for many variables including: site selection, reducing site disturbance, storm-water management, landscaping, waste management, water conservation, recycling, embodied energy concepts, energy conservation, day-lighting, circulation, site shape, climate, topography, utility infrastructure, solar analysis, heat gain analysis, vegetation, drainage patterns, wind factors, site assets, site liabilities, flood plain factors, vibration parameters, electro-magnetic interference, zoning requirements, and building requirements . The research paper will define the process of dealing with these variables in a logical and environmentally responsible manner. Various methodologies for decision making will be identified. Information for interactive master planning sessions will be defined.

The research master planning requirements will be integrated into a document that will be useful for architects, engineers, research park managers and other individuals interested in sustainable master planning solutions for research facilities and research campuses.

Three sustainable master planning case studies will be described. These examples will provide a bridge between the theory and the practical application of the sustainable master planning principles.

Research Paper Outline:

1. Introduction
2. Overview of sustainable concepts
3. Defining the master planning variables and their impact
4. Outlining the interactive master-planning process
5. Evaluation of master-planning options
6. Refinement of the master plan information
7. Case studies
8. Resources for master-planning
9. Future trends

Biography:

Bruce M. Haxton, AIA is a Senior Project Manager with Ferraro Choi And Associates, Ltd. for science and technology architecture. He has lectured on numerous laboratory and science park topics around the world. World Conference speaker: Interstitial Research Facilities - Rio de Janerio,1996; Science Park Analysis Worldwide - Perth, Australia, 1998; and Science Park Master Planning - Istanbul, Turkey, 1999. Selected national and international conference speaker: Design Analysis of United States Technology Incubators, Boulder, Colorado, 2000; Research Laboratory Master Planning, Perth, Australia 1998, Hartford, Connecticut, 1995; and Design Analysis of Research Laboratories, Palo Alto, California, 1991. Co-author of Integrated Architectural and Engineering Methodology for Sustainable Design in Research Facilities, Laboratories of the 21st Century Conference 2001, Co-author of Implementing Sustainable Designs for Research Facilities, Facilities Management Journal, July/August 2001.