Forensic Laboratories—Sustainable Building Strategies as Determinants of Architectural Character and a Humane Working Environment

Benjamin Caffey, AIA, Fields Devereaux Architects & Engineers

Objectives:

The objective of the presentation is to describe the process of development for the design of forensic labs through the integration of the client, users, engineering and sustainable building strategies. Many projects, particularly with government clients, are required to receive a minimum base level LEED™ certification.

The focus will be on sustainable design strategies as one of three parallel tracks of interaction and its impact on the development of an architectural concept for the project. The presentation will begin with initial master planning performed to test the program, and describe development of project design from the schematic design phase through the construction document phase of the work. Particular attention will be given to the compatibility of sustainable design strategies with the desire to create an optimal working environment.

Findings:

The constraints imposed by the successful and simultaneous resolution of user and technical requirements in the context of sustainable design are in fact opportunities for achieving a rich and humane working environment.

If sustainable design strategies are integrated early in the design process, their impact on project schedule and cost are minimized.

Open communication with users and engineers from the beginning regarding impact of sustainable design on their objectives allows early resolution of conflicts.
The more obtrusive aspects of sustainable design, such as photovoltaic panels and day lighting and sun control can be successfully integrated into the concept of the architecture.

Labs21 Connection:

The presentation will demonstrate the integration of energy and water conserving elements, as a well as strategies to minimize overall environmental impact of a project including retention of site and roof runoff on site, minimization of the creation of heat islands, sun control to minimize heat gain combined with day lighting and use of green materials for construction.

This proposed presentation together with proposed presentations by the lab planner and mechanical engineer demonstrate an integrated "whole building approach" to achieving minimal environmental impact for forensic laboratory design.

A number of recently designed forensic lab projects will be employed during the presentation to illustrate specific ideas.

Biography:

Ben Caffey, AIA, is a Senior Associate and Lead Design Architect for the Science and Research Studio of Fields Devereaux Architects and Engineers. He has 24 years of experience in architecture. In addition to his experience with the design of undergraduate, research and commercial laboratories, Mr. Caffey has worked on the design of a wide variety of building types including Performing Arts Centers and other civic projects. He is a licensed architect in the state of California. He received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Southern California in 1975 and a Master of Architecture from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University in 1978. Mr. Caffey is a visiting lecturer at the University of Southern California School of Architecture.