| |
Sustainability Lessons Learned from Design and Construction
of USDA's BLS-3Ag High Containment Animal Lab
Bradley Anderson, Merrick & Company
Design and construction of the BSL-3Ag Animal Research and Diagnostic
facility at USDA's National Centers for Animal Health in Ames, Iowa
presented challenges to the design and construction team on a variety
of levels and had significant impact on principles of sustainability.
At the time of the Labs21 conference in October, this building will
be approximately 80 percent complete in construction.
Our presentation will discuss lessons learned through the programming,
planning and design, bidding and construction phases of the project,
emphasizing the interrelation of biocontainment principles, construction
methodologies and sustainability goals. The presentation will include
research and diagnostic objectives of the project, biocontainment
drivers and how these influenced the design; system and materials
selections such as the use of concrete as a basic building material,
finishes and coatings, air management systems, waste and carcass
disposal methodologies, decontamination techniques, animal penning
and gating materials. Each of these decisions carried with it an
impact on the overall sustainability of the facility. Also included
will be a review of the means and methods of construction and their
impacts on sustainability including curing of concrete during cold
seasons, environmental conditions required for successful installation
of coatings and the commissioning process.
Labs21 Connection:
Our presentation will include discussion related to the Labs21
approach as follows:
- Minimization of overall environmental impacts through use of
air filtration systems, waste decontamination systems and carcass
disposal systems that protect the environment from the uncontrolled
release of potentially harmful microorganisms.
- Protection of occupants against exposure to hazardous agents
and potentially dangerous animal interactions.
- Optimization of whole building efficiency on a life-cycle basis
through careful design of air systems, minimization of high AC/hr
flows, reduction of room volumes.
- Measurement of energy and tracking performance through use of
advanced building controls systems to allow assessment of energy
usage and target areas where energy reductions might be realized.
- Use life-cycle cost analysis as a tool to inform system selection
decisions.
- Incorporation of a comprehensive, whole building commissioning
process in the design and construction process.
Biography:
Bradley Anderson is Vice President of Merrick & Company,
a 400-person Architecture Engineering firm headquartered in Denver,
Colorado. Merrick has been in operation since 1955 and has provided
design services on large scale, mission-critical facilities for
government and private sector clients. Mr. Andersen is currently
overseeing the design of projects totaling $200 million in construction
value. He is a registered architect and has 22 years experience
designing and managing large, multi-discipline projects and leads
Merrick's buildings design group.
Back to the Agenda
|
