Delivering Sustainable Design in the Lab Environment

Mike Walters, Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Ben Shepherd, Battle McCarthy Ltd.

Objectives:

European design for buildings and developments is generally held in high regard, particularly in terms of environmental efficiency or sustainability, but is this perception well founded or even true? This joint presentation will examine this question in terms of design, techniques and relevant case studies in European and US projects. The focus will be to give the audience a true picture of the differences, challenges faced and points to incorporate in their own projects.

Findings:

A number of studies and projects within Europe and specifically the United Kingdom have direct applications to US laboratories. Currently, Battle McCarthy and AEI are involved in design discussions, modeling and simulations for incorporating natural ventilation in laboratory spaces. The challenge centers around maximizing the safety of spaces and providing energy efficiency while keeping the same or improved levels of service for the lab occupants, researchers and technicians.

Discussions will also center on the current sustainability arguments, comparing progress within the Labs21 initiative and LEEDTM for Labs, and the challenges designers face in dealing with practical incorporation. Presenters will specifically discuss the issues with life-cycle costing and approaches to maximize returns on investment with private financing, or in terms of fiscal responsibility with government backing.

Labs21 Connection:

Sustainability or any form of environmental/energy efficiency approach has to be seen not as an add-on but fully integrated from the beginning of the process. There is a true need for further research and study post-completion to compare not only the numbers and efficiency, but the costs and lessons learned. We also need to push our projects to be more than singularly focused on just the efficiency of the lab spaces but the potential impacts of better human design in terms of daylighting, air quality and the design of central/public spaces.

The presenters will focus on various steps and design tools essential to a successful, integrated design process. Aspects of the presentation will include the implementation of an integrated design team, the concept of a pre-design and design development charrette, and the appropriate use of engineering analysis throughout the various design phases. Attention will be paid to specifically how this analysis is developed through the collaborative efforts of an entire design team.

Biographies:

Mike Walters has experience in the design, analysis, implementation and certification of sustainable and energy efficient building systems. He recently contributed his expertise towards the LEEDTM certification process of Affiliated Engineers' own office building project, the development of the Labs21 Program's Energy Performance Criteria document and green building case study research presented to the design community at the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) first international conference held in the Fall of 2002.

Mr. Walters' keen interests in energy efficient and sustainable design have led to significant experience in renewable energy, distributed generation, daylighting and environmentally sensitive design. His formal education includes a specialty in building electrical power systems, and his unique background in Architectural Engineering provides a breadth and depth of knowledge that is essential for the successful evaluation and implementation of sustainable design concepts.

Mr. Walters has a Bachelor of Science, Architectural Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Wisconsin.

Ben Shepherd is a Sustainability Consultant with Battle McCarthy, a London-based consulting engineering and landscape architecture firm. Battle McCarthy is recognized worldwide for its innovative approach to sustainable building design and master planning with a number of award-winning projects in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Mr. Shepherd's role in the company revolves around the relationship between environmental, economic and social issues of green building and development projects. Ben is currently managing a sustainable master planning and guidelines project for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. The approach integrates sustainability with the underlying health and wellness mission of NIH. Along with this effort, he is intimately involved with other US projects and in establishing the New York City based Battle McCarthy office opening Spring 2003.

Mr. Shepherd has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and Policy from Northland College, Wisconsin.