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CDC: National Center for Environmental Health Projected
To Attain "Gold"
Daniel Watch, AIA, Perkins &
Will
After 9/11 laboratory design changed significantly. Labs are now
required to change quickly and affordably to support research teams
in addressing crises such as terrorism, outbreaks, and other potential
disasters. There is a need for efficient, cost-effective lab conversion
and modification, as well as sustainable design for many architects
and clients designing laboratory facilities. The combination of
sustainable ideas with quick-changing labs is successfully being
developed at CDC's new building for the NCEH.
The focus of the presentation is an explanation of the procedures
used to address individual LEED™ Scorecard category items to
obtain a projected "Gold" status for the building. The
presentation provides specific design information describing the
planning process developed by the team that resulted in a framework
of sustainable concepts. In addition, ideas generated during planning
and construction are presented to illustrate the various ways sustainable
design can be encouraged throughout the process. The importance
of utilizing the principles of the Labs21 Approach to laboratory
design in reaching for the LEED™ "Gold" standard
is emphasized throughout the presentation.
Findings:
Three main lessons emerged from this project.
- The primary lesson learned was persistence. Design and construction
for a project of this magnitude take several years, and it is
necessary for key team members from both the client and the A/E
firm to have vision and conviction throughout the process.
- The second lesson learned is that team members must continue
to look for opportunities during construction. As challenges arise
during this phase, new prospects for sustainable ideas present
themselves and teams must be flexible enough to seize those opportunities.
- The third lesson emerging from the CDC project is the importance
of getting contractors and sub-contractors to buy into the sustainable
design process. Once everyone is on board with sustainable design
and construction, the process and end result are greatly improved.
The presentation will utilize the LEED™ Scorecard for CDC
Building 110, highlighting important data gathered during design
and construction to achieve the projected "Gold" status.
Labs21 Connection:
Principles of the Labs21 Approach to laboratory design were implemented
in several unique ways for CDC's new building for the NCEH. Early
in the planning process, the team adopted attainable goals that
resulted in a sustainable, high-performance/low-energy building.
The building will consume approximately 43% less energy than required
by model energy codes, resulting in annual operational savings of
$225,000 over a code-compliant base case. The design of interstitial
space affords high ceilings in labs to provide more energy-efficient
natural light. Another concept permits quick and efficient change
in the labs by using 75% mobile casework that will save significant
renovation and energy costs over the life of the building. The design
approach also allows for continuous improvement; for example, photo
voltaics are able to be added to the roof later.
Though there were modest additional initial construction costs,
payback studies made sense. The sustainable approach proved that
a green building results in added efficiency and continued improvement
throughout the life of the building.
Biography:
Daniel D. Watch, AIA, Principal, Perkins & Will Architects,
is a LEED™ 2.0 Accredited Green Building Professional whose
significant international experience and history of award winning
design provides Perkins & Will and its clients a unique talent.
He heads the design efforts in Perkins & Will's Science and
Technology division and is the author of the book Research Laboratories,
published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2001.
He has recently served as guest lecturer on laboratory design to
the National Institutes of Health, Harvard University, Research
Triangle Park, and the Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Other recent
projects include: NASA Space Center Testing Laboratories at Cape
Canaveral, FL, American Museum of Natural History Genomics Labs
in New York, UTMB National Biocontainment Lab, Seton Hall Science
Building, FAU Charles E. Schmidt Science Center, North Carolina
State College of Engineering, and six new laboratory facilities
in China.
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