Labs 2030: Beyond Platinum

David Johnson and Andy Vazzano, SmithGroup

In 2001, SmithGroup Science & Technology interviewed leading scientists in bioscience, chemistry, and engineering to identify research trends with consequences for laboratory planning, architecture, and engineering. A number of the emerging disciplines identified in these meetings, including nanotechnology, computational biology, and bioinfomatics, have developed rapidly over the past several years prompting an updated survey dubbed Labs 2030. In 2005-2006, SmithGroup returned to the scientific community to peer, again, into the future.

As SmithGroup reviewed data compiled from the Labs 2030 interviews, it became clear that scientists and research institutions are increasingly concerned about the environmental consequences of their work. Numerous respondents expressed the desire to reduce energy consumption in the laboratory and limit the release of toxins into the waste stream. This same group also communicated the need for a deeper understanding of how these goals might be accomplished.

Recognizing the demand for responsible development in the research community, SmithGroup initiated a year-long program in 2008 to investigate the sustainable laboratory. To initiate this effort, SmithGroup convened national practice leaders from multiple disciplines at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, the site of the SmithGroup-designed LEED® Platinum Science and Technology Facility. Using the remarkable performance of NREL S&T as a point of departure, we posed the following: What would it take to advance this facility to carbon neutral? Is it possible to achieve this through the implementation of existing technologies, or is technology revolution a necessary precursor? At this point, do we know enough to clearly state requirements for carbon neutral development?

The presentation Labs 2030: Beyond Platinum summarizes the results of our Labs 2030 research effort, paying particular attention to the desire for sustainability expressed by researchers and research institutions. It follows with discussion of the NREL charette, and the potential for near-term realization of carbon-neutral development. Three intellectual themes are woven together in this two part presentation: Human Factors (program organization as an expression of social capital, collaboration, biophilia); Resource and Energy Consumption (What have we measured? What can we measure?); and What Would Nature Do? (Can buildings achieve true integration with the environment, or are they fundamentally detrimental human artifacts?).

Biographies:

David Johnson has broad experience in design leadership, including programming, pre-design, site evaluation, and planning, as well as sustainable design. His projects are primarily in the science and technology market, where he emphasizes human experience as the basis for design. In particular, his application of principles drawn from human psychology to the design of the research laboratory has been widely recognized. He presented this methodology as "The Human Dimension of Sustainable Design" at the EPA and DOE sponsored Laboratories for the 21st Century conference, and has implemented the approach for numerous public and private clients. His approach to architecture is contextual, and incorporates multiple viewpoints and constituencies to build consensus around the "meaning and reason" of any project.

Andy Vazzano, a 35-year SmithGroup verteran, is a managing director based in the Chicago office. He rose to his current role in 2003, the same year he was elevated to Fellow by the American Institute of Architects. Andy is a national leader in health and research facilities design and planning, and has special expertise in research laboratory planning and design. He is also leader of the innovative SmithGroup research project, Lab 2030.

The recent projects Andy has led include a significant expansion project for the University of Chicago Hospitals. He has also been integral in the successful retention of many longtime clients, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and University of Louisville Health Sciences Center. This University of Detroit architecture graduate is an east coast native of Newark, New Jersey.

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