The Science Engineering and Technologies Building at State University of New York (SUNY) Oswego—A Model for a Sustainable Laboratory Building
John Moore, SUNY College at Oswego
Punit Jain, Cannon Design
A model project, the Science Engineering and Technologies Building at SUNY Oswego, is the kind of multidisciplinary undergraduate teaching/research building that many institutions are considering building. It includes a 150,000-square-foot addition to an existing 1960s-era 70,000-square-foot building.
Committed to sustainability, its owner established a LEED® Silver rating as a goal at the onset of the project, but decided to pursue LEED Gold during early conversations. Now, through the enthusiasm and creativity of the team, LEED Platinum seems achievable.
The team's commitment to sustainability is evident. SUNY Oswego became a Labs21 Partner and collaborates with Labs21 to achieve the highest possible level of sustainability in a fairly extreme climatic zone near Lake Ontario. Success will be achieved through integrated design with regular multidisciplinary dialogue between New York State University Construction Fund representatives, SUNY Oswego facilities group, SUNY Oswego faculty and scientists, and Cannon Design architects and engineers. Soon, the construction management will be retained and will become part of the project dialogue.
The many challenges of Oswego's climate are turned into opportunities. Renewable energy strategies being considered include wind turbines, PV panels, and ground source heat pumps. Lake cooling is also being discussed. The meteorology faculty is providing wind and solar data to optimize onsite renewable energy. Such engagement by the entire team in achieving the highest level of LEED certification in a laboratory building is rare and will provide substantive information for conference attendees.
Building orientation and fenestration to maximize glare-free natural light and views of the lake in the north, along with material conservation, existing building re-use, and modular efficient planning, are some of the many sustainable design features. Sensing equipment to reduce air change rates, which in turn reduces equipment size and energy use, design considerations that also provide future space use flexibility. Many of the sustainable design strategies are being informed by faculty participation and ultimately will influence the science curriculums.
The entire project is designed using Revit Building Information Modeling Software. This model goes beyond simple three-dimensional coordination, as each element in the model contains a data set that allows better coordination and connectivity to all disciplines involved in the design of that particular element. This includes all architecture, structure, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical systems. The software will be used to generate schedules and to facilitate estimating.
Biographies:
John Moore, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, is a
professional mechanical engineer at SUNY Oswego, where he has served for
13 years. Previously, he was a plant and systems engineer at the James A
Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego New York.
Mr. Moore serves as the director of engineering for the college with
responsibility for engineering design of capital projects, operation and
maintenance of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for the
campus, and the operational sustainability of the campus. In this
multi-function position, Mr. Moore oversees the day-to-day operation of campus
and building systems, has the planning and design input for capital
improvements and is constantly driving energy conservation and
sustainability in both of those activities.
Mr. Moore has been involved with the planning, design, and construction of more than
$500 million in buildings and renovations on the Oswego Campus. Included in
these projects are five LEED certifiable building renovations and one new
construction building. Mr. Moore is actively involved with the
construction of new townhouses as a LEED Gold project and the design of the
new science building as a LEED Gold project. These projects will be the
first LEED certified projects for the campus.
Punit Jain, a graduate of Washington University with a Master's degree in architecture and construction management, is a key member of Cannon Design's Science & Technology practice, with extensive experience in laboratory architecture. He serves as Cannon Design's sustainable design leader, responsible for promoting high-performance design through LEED accreditation, conducting training for the firm's professionals, and championing sustainable design practices. Validating this commitment, Mr. Jain was appointed to the National Board of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)—the originator of the LEED system, and widely recognized as one of the most influential institutions in the sustainable movement worldwide. A Rotary Foundation Scholar, Mr. Jain has taught at the School of Art & Design at Maryville University and St. Louis Community College and serves as a visiting critic for the schools of architecture at Washington University and the University of Illinois at Champaign, Urbana. An accomplished speaker, Mr. Jain is a frequent presenter at major industry forums including Labs21, the Sierra Club, the Missouri Biotechnology Association, as well as USGBC, where he also served as president of its St. Louis Chapter. He most recently presented at the 2009 Society of College and University Professionals' Pacific Regional Conference.