HIGH PERFORMANCE LABORATORY DESIGN FOR TROPICAL CLIMATES – CASE STUDY OF THE ‘CLEANTECH TWO’ BUILDING (SINGAPORE)

Bharath Seshadri, Researcher, Energy Research institute @ NTU

High performance laboratories are characterized by energy efficiency, safety and indoor comfort of the occupants. Such a laboratory requires integration and dynamic optimization of the architectural, mechanical, electrical, and the building management systems. In this paper, we discuss the case study of a laboratory space in the CleanTech Two (CTT) building – a multi-tenanted laboratory building, currently being constructed in Singapore. Along with the chief design consultant, a ‘Scientific Planning and Support' (SPS) team comprising of architects, engineers, scientists and researchers from Asia, America and Europe worked together to design CTT. CTT is a multi-tenanted ‘core-and-shell' building, i.e. almost all the rentable spaces are not fitted with energy systems; so as to give tenants more control of their energy management. However, a pre-selected 1000sqm laboratory space was designed and fitted out with energy systems and equipment by the chief design consultant and the SPS team.

In this paper, we will focus on the above mentioned space. We first discuss the integrated design approach for the high performance laboratory space. Then, we present the execution of this approach during the planning, design, and development stages; specifically, i) the organization and outcomes of an Integrated Design Charrette, ii) the recommendations and international best practices for design and operation; and iii) energy modeling and simulation results, and analysis for various building technologies and systems; to achieve superior energy performance. It is envisioned that when it will be completed, CTT will serve as a blueprint for the next generation of ‘Living Labs' and will set a high standard for integrated design for high performance buildings.

Biography:

Bharath is a researcher at the Sustainable Buildings Technologies team at the Energy Research Institute @ NTU. He specializes in modeling and simulating energy systems in buildings. He was part of the core team of researchers that developed the concept of Scientific Planning Support for Singapore's most efficient laboratory building –CleanTech Two, as a way of linking the research community to the integrated building design project. Currently, his projects include: leading the modeling and data analysis effort to support a road mapping effort for the Singapore government; and modeling and test-bedding an innovative chilled ceiling project in an office building. Previously, he worked as a freelance researcher at the Sustainable Buildings team at the Austrian Institute of Technology (Vienna, Austria). Bharath has a Bachelor's degree from the National University of Singapore. And he will receive his Master's degree in 2013 from the Nanyang Technological University.

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