From Solar Design of the 1970s to Green Buildings and LEED^® Certification in the 21st Century

Byron Edwards, AIA, ACHE, and Janette Alexander, RA, LS3P Associates, Ltd.

LS3P designed a LEED certifiable project in 1979, before LEED certification even existed, for the Westvaco Forest Science Center and Research Laboratory. Design of the facility focused on fitting into the environment and providing state-of-the-art forest research laboratories and greenhouses that celebrated the tenants of both passive and active solar design, which were popular at that time. The results were an award-winning design that was published in numerous architectural design and research industry periodicals because of its innovative planning, as well as its visual, yet environmentally sympathetic impact. The building, one of the first of its kind in the world, helped Westvaco become a world leader in forest research, and LS3P has subsequently designed four research laboratories, transgenic growth facilities, and greenhouse/head house additions to the Forest Science Center.

These projects all represented the spirit of the current green building movement before it was codified by the U.S. Green Building Council into the LEED certification process. Based on the green spirit of these projects, LS3P was recently selected by Clemson University to design the Clemson University Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forestry Science located in Georgetown, South Carolina. This Institute was targeted for LEED Platinum certification, but finally designed and bid to LEED Gold because of the significant additional cost of the geothermal mechanical system that would have allowed it to achieve a higher certification.

Currently under construction, and expected to be 50 to 75 percent complete by October 2007, the project incorporates a number of innovative sustainable design concepts, including:

• Site selection
• Building orientation
• Bio-swales
• Pervious paving
• Daylighting and views
• Overhangs
• Operable windows
• Outdoor classrooms
• Recycled local materials
• Green power
• Enhanced commissioning
• Enhanced refrigerant management
• Optimized energy performance
• A demonstration garden for drought resistant plants
• Site history embedded into landscape - "Arc of Time"
• Management of surrounding wildlife habitat
• Low-level solar site lighting and light pollution reduction

Biographies:

Byron Edwards Mr. Edwards is Vice President and Principal at LS3P Associates Ltd.'s Charleston office, where he directs the healthcare and technology group, also known as the Discovery Studio. Mr. Edwards came to the firm in 1993 with an extensive background in institutional and industrial projects. He specializes in the master planning, programming, planning, and design of research and science facilities, medical centers, hospitals, and contributes over 25 years of experience with universities, federal agencies, and healthcare institutions. He also brings experience with private sector biomedical, agricultural, forestry, chemical, and manufacturing projects.

A founding member of the American College of Healthcare Architects, Mr. Edwards is one of four board-certified healthcare architects in the state of South Carolina. Across his career, he has provided planning and design on over two dozen laboratory/technology projects, more than 25 hospital projects, and more than 15 medical office and clinic buildings. Mr. Edwards enjoys the complexity of both hospital and research laboratory design and the collaborative programming, planning, and design process required between the architects, the engineers, and the owners and their constructors.

Janette Alexander joined LS3P Associates, Ltd.'s Healthcare and Technology Group in 1995. An associate principal of the firm, she has over 18 years of experience in all aspects of design, including programming, concept development, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration.

Ms. Alexander’s background includes higher education, academic and private research and science facilities, medical facilities, renovation projects, and medical office buildings. She has been directly involved with numerous projects at Mead Westvaco for Forestry Science, soils and media preparation, and vegetative propagations. Her project background includes multiple sustainable buildings including a certified-designed marine research facility for University of South Carolina and the LEED Gold design for the Clemson University Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forestry Science, both located at environmentally sensitive coastal locations in South Carolina.

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