Toward the Net-Zero Lab: A Pathway to Carbon Reduction Strategies for Research Facilities

Brian Smiley, HOK
Devki Desai, HOK

Labs are traditionally carbon-intensive. Addressing total carbon in lab design is becoming increasingly urgent in order to mitigate climate change. This presentation will review the results of a research initiative completed by HOK that addresses the climate impacts of lab design through the lens of operational and embodied carbon.

Presenters will address the following questions regarding operational carbon:

• How do you find big reductions in ventilation and air change rates though fume hood and lab planning strategies?
• How do you balance risk and carbon reduction using air quality sensing technology?
• How do you implement incremental strategies for further carbon reduction?

Presenters will address the following questions regarding Embodied Carbon:

• Which types of structural bays and facade systems have the most impact on carbon reduction?
• What are the vibration implications of each structural system?
• Is a hybrid structural system an effective way to balance embodied carbon and vibration?
• What are the next steps for concurrent evaluation of operational and embodied carbon for zero-carbon lab design?

Learning Objectives

• Describe the magnitude of operational and construction carbon in typical lab facilities and the importance of tackling the issue to meaningfully address climate action; define the knowledge and construction practice gaps in the lab sector and the need for better benchmarking and data collection;
• Identify progressive design measures to incrementally reduce the in-use energy consumption and how the assessment process can help us make better choices;
• Explain how material selection can reduce embodied carbon in principle and how combining these principles with structural vibration requirements presents a particular challenge with lab buildings; and
• Describe the importance of working closely with structural engineers as part of the life cycle assessment process to ensure vibration criteria is tested against a life cycle impact assessment.

Biographies:

Brian is a Senior Project Architect & Sustainability Leader at HOK Philadelphia with 25+ years experience leading teams in the development of award-winning science & technology projects. Brian has extensive experience with high performance design and is the current Chair for the Committee on the Environment for AIA Pennsylvania.

Devki Desai PE is a Structural Project Engineer with work spanning large-scale laboratory, healthcare, aviation and high-rise projects. She spearheaded the HOK structural engineering team's life-cycle analysis initiatives. She is a National Science Foundation fellowship alum experienced in bench-scale lab research, and CTBUH NY's Emerging Leader of New York 2019.

Note: Abstracts and biographies are displayed as submitted by the author(s) with the exception of minor edits for style, grammar consistency, and length.