Sustainable Synergies: Daylighting, Energy, and Water Conservation Strategies at a University Laboratory

Herman Kao, MAIBC, LEED® AP, and Susan Ockwell, MAIBC, LEED AP, Busby Perkins + Will

This presentation will focus on the Arts and Social Sciences Complex Module 2 (ASSC-2) at Simon Fraser University, located 30 minutes outside of Vancouver, British Columbia. This is a 120,000 square foot arts and social science university project housing the Faculty of Health Sciences. The project includes 20,990 square feet of ballroom style wet laboratories and support space and was completed in March 2008.

The presentation will highlight the efficient lighting and energy strategies within the laboratory, with a focus on the water conservation strategies. Each topic will include examples of energy-efficient synergies between the wet laboratories and adjacent non-laboratory program components. Planning and program adjacencies were no-cost strategies that were key to the success of the building. The design of ASSC-2 balances the desire for abundant daylight and views with the need to control unwanted solar heat gain in summer and control glare for laboratory bench work or computer work all year long. Ecotect building modeling software was used to explore external solar shading appropriate for each façade. For the benefit of occupants in the ballroom style laboratories, solar protection as well as unobstructed views to a landscaped courtyard were required. The presentation will also touch on public circulation as a solar buffer, as well as the use of efficient T5 lighting and daylighting controls in terms of the reduction of lighting related energy consumption.

Among the mechanical energy strategies we will present are: the utilization of relief air from non-laboratory program areas as laboratory makeup air while maintaining safety and ventilation requirements for the laboratories; heat recovery from laboratory exhaust air with use of heat recovery coils in Strobic exhaust fans; waste heat capture from equipment that requires 24 hour cooling to heat air supply in non-laboratory areas; night time setbacks wherein the mechanical system is turned down or shut off after hours; and on demand ventilation.

Water conservation was also critical to the project design. The rainy weather in British Columbia can sometimes tax the capacity of the municipal stormwater systems. Despite all the rainfall, drinking water can, at times, be in short supply. ASSC-2 has green roofs planted with drought resistant native plants to minimize stormwater runoff. Excess rainwater is captured and stored in a 50,000 gallon cistern buried underneath the courtyard. This rainwater is used to irrigate the low-water-demand planting in the courtyard and to top up the rain water pond when required. These features together with efficient plumbing fixtures, lead to a very efficient use of City water.

Biographies:

Herman Kao has been involved in several development projects including a residential development for Emaar properties in Victoria and the mixed-use development at Columbia and Keefer for Intracorp in addition to several residential projects in China since joining CPP, Inc. The project is located in the historic district of downtown Victoria and is designed to maximize light and air to all the residential units, as well as to take advantage of harbour views. The project is targeting LEED Gold cerification. Among the sustainable strategies employed are geothermal energy, solar shading and high-performance glazing. Herman was also extensively involved in the Arts and Social Sciences Complex at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, working on both Phase I and II of the project. Phase I of the complex will provide a new home for the Schools of Archaeology, Criminology, Clinical Psychology, First Nations Studies, and the Centre for Forensics Research as well as provide classrooms, lecture theatres and computer labs for undergraduates, and spaces for reading, studying, and socializing. Phase II of the building will house the Faculty of Health and Sciences, integrating biological sciences with social science, population and public health science in an effort to foster connections between faculties and departments.

Susan Ockwell, MAIBC, LEED® AP, joined Busby Perkins + Will in 1997, and has worked on a wide variety of project types, including university facilities, office renovations and interiors, government projects, hotels, and high-rise residential towers. Susan worked on the design development and working drawings for the Revenue Canada Office Building in Surrey, British Columbia, built for Public Works and Government Services Canada, and the York University Computer Science Building in Toronto, Ontario, completed in 2001. Both of these award-winning projects entailed technically advanced architecture and employed numerous sustainable strategies aimed to reduce energy consumption and maximize user comfort and building flexibility. Susan was the project manager for both the Public Works T.I. for Correctional Services Canada National Parole Service, completed in 2002, and the Trendwest Time Share Hotel in Victoria, completed in 2004. Susan is currently the Associate responsible for the Arts and Social Sciences Complex for Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. Phase I was completed in 2007 and Phase II was completed in March of 2008. Combined, the two phases consist of more than 200,925 square feet of classroom, office, theatre and laboratory space, including CL3 laboratories, with sustainable design integrated into all phases of the design.

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