Energy Optimization and the Academic Medical Research
Laboratory - The Buffalo Life Sciences Complex
Glen Conley, AIA, LEED®
AP, Francis Cauffman Foley Hoffmann Architects, Ltd.
Michael Fahey, Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting
Engineers
Buffalo Life Sciences Complex: The project, when completed in June
2006, will be a jointly-occupied biomedical and cancer research
facility, which houses:
- SUNY University at Buffalo NY State Center for Excellence in
Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute Center for Genetics and Pharmacology.
The project is a 300,000 sq. ft. biomedical research facility intended
to foster collaboration between adjacent research partners. The
client institutions envisioned a new model of the open, modular,
flexible research laboratory that can act as a catalyst to spur
scientific innovation, speed drug discovery and help to recruit
and retain top researchers to their new program in Buffalo, NY.
The desire for lab flexibility and adaptability over the long term
fit well with the sustainability concepts promoted by Labs21 and
USGBC.
The design achieved 30 percent energy optimization (four points
under LEED Credit EA 1.1 and 1.2) despite the fact that 60 percent
of the facility is comprised of traditional wet lab space requiring
100 percent outside air supply.
Although a sustainable lab building design success story, the facility
was designed in part before the client committed to Labs21 and LEED
sustainability initiatives.
Energy optimization and performance was modeled using a whole-building
approach and verified by the state energy agency (NYSERDA). A New
York State energy rebate incentive program provided the financial
incentive to comply with NY State Executive Order #111 which mandates
energy optimization and promotes adherence to LEED Rating System
sustainability credits. The rebate program provided a 10 percent
bonus to the rebate for pursuit of LEED certification.
The building's energy performance as modeled and verified by NYSERDA
resulted in a substantial return on investment and annual electric
energy usage cost savings of $175,000.00 for the life of the project.
The incremental cost premium was less than 1 percent of the construction
cost, making the ROI payback period 4.25 years.
The LEED Silver certification being sought relies on three Labs21
Credits for Safety/Risk Management and Environmental Quality/Safety
under Innovation category.
Labs21 Connection:
The whole-building energy model analyzed the contributions of runaround
loop heat recovery air handling units, variable speed drives, VAV
fume hood controls, high-efficiency lighting and fan motors, and
occupancy sensor controls as well high efficiency glazing and the
rest of the building envelope.
The indoor environment, as well as occupant comfort and safety,
are enhanced by the provision of daylighting and views in 75 percent
of the occupied spaces, the use of low emitting interior finish
materials, coatings and sealants, an indoor air quality management
program during construction, HVAC system flushing prior to occupancy
and CO2 monitoring provisions. 3D modeling of daylight allowed the
design team to validate this attribute of the design.
Macro-environmental measures include mechanical equipment that
is free of ozone depleting HCFCs (due to be banned in 2030) and
a low emissivity roof that reduces the heat island effect and contributes
to lowered cooling costs. The construction manager was able to divert
75 percent of the construction waste from landfills.
The Labs21 'credits' for Safety/Risk Management SS9.1 and SS 9.2
and Indoor Environmental Quality/Safety EQ9.3 are pursued as LEED
innovation credits. The design provides water effluent treatment
for lab waste and an air effluent (exhaust windwake) analysis was
conducted. In addition, a self identifying fume hood alarm system
is provided.
An ongoing whole-building commissioning program is promoted and
maintenance activities are enhanced by the metering of all equipment,
lighting, and air and water economizer cycles. The owner's maintenance
staff can continuously monitor the building's performance.
The layout of the lab floor and services is modular and flexible
in nature, allowing easier adaptation to change as well as incremental
growth, addition of fume hoods, etc. The lab services are arranged
overhead in the equipment corridor, which then acts as a service
gallery to allow maintenance activity by facilities staff to occur
without entering or disrupting the laboratory.
Biographies:
Glen Conley, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Project Architect/Project
Manager and Associate at Francis Cauffman, has more than 20 years
of experience in architectural design, construction documentation
and project management and has been responsible for the design,
documentation and construction administration of a wide variety
of project types including research, healthcare, educational, commercial
and manufacturing facilities. His area of specialization is in the
planning and design of academic medical research facilities. Recent
projects include Biomedical Research Building II (BRB-II) a 385,000
sq. ft. high-rise research laboratory and conference center for
the University of Pennsylvania and the Buffalo Life Sciences Complex,
a 300,000 sq. ft. academic medical research facility which will
be jointly occupied by Roswell Park Cancer Institute Center for
Genetics and Pharmacology and the SUNY University at Buffalo New
York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.
Michael Fahey, Managing Principal
at the NYC Office of Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers, has
over 20 years experience in the field of electrical engineering
and as an engineering manager. His experience includes design of
electrical systems for a multitude of new facilities and the adaptive
reuse of existing facilities. His project experience is primarily
in the field of science/research facilities and healthcare.
Mr. Conley and Mr. Fahey worked together on the design of the subject
project (Buffalo Life Sciences Complex), from 2002 through the present.
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