Adaptive Reuse of Generic Office Space for Laboratories—Opportunities and Strategies

Deepa Dhar, LEED® AP, FOLIO Architects

This session will address tools to achieve sustainable design by employing simple, innovative design strategies without additional initial investment.

Companies today are faced with tightened budgets while still having to support their growing infrastructure needs coupled with their sustainability goals. If for not much else, the current financial crisis has been a good omen for sustainable design efforts, and we are presented with an opportunity to examine current 'standard' practices, 'rules of thumb,' the reasoning behind many of these, and evaluate if they are standard out of repetition or they actually hold some value. Strategies to reuse and adapt existing facilities for increased efficiency, quality and flexibility (supported by case studies) will include:

Building Selection
The current downturn has led to a growing abundance of commercial property. Contrary to prior belief that research spaces require new, specialized spaces to be custom-designed to each specific companies' needs, the reality is that a high percentage of the total need can be accommodated in standard space, and the specialized spaces, is quite limited. The opportunities for the conversion of office/warehouse space for laboratory use will be discussed.

Passive Design Strategies
Fundamental architectural design principles, hastily abandoned as unnecessary in the wake of mechanically powered technologies can be re-employed—even on infrastructure intensive laboratory buildings—for a dramatic impact on the overall energy use. Detailed dialogue and examples will cover the following passive design strategies:

  • Orientation and Day Light
  • North Light
  • Sun Control – Screening and Landscape
  • Thermal Mass and Ventilation

Space Utilization
Increased instrumentation in existing laboratories has resulted in great inefficiencies of space utilization as owners are reluctant to demolish casework viewed as a sizeable initial investment asset. The use of modular furniture and vertical stacking of equipment in larger open laboratory areas is more space efficient, cost effective initially, and affords flexibility for future transformations in research methods. Case studies will support personnel, space, and cost efficiencies achieved.

HVAC: Fresh versus Re-circulated and Air Change Rates
Traditionally laboratory ventilation is 100 percent fresh air with a 12 or more air change rate. But there is no clear evidence that high air exchange rates have resulted in improved worker health and safety. Annual energy and initial capital cost savings by reducing laboratory air change rate are significant. Also, in certain situations, re-circulated air may be suitable. Factors that make it reasonable to consider the reduction and case studies to quantify energy and cost savings will be presented.

Biographies:

Deepa Dhar is founder and principal of FOLIO Architects, an architectural practice that specializes in the design of facilities for the life sciences. Ms. Dhar has more than 20 years experience in the detailed programming, strategic planning, design, and management of high-tech research, development and manufacturing facilities for biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical clients. Her adherence to fundamental principles of architectural design, coupled with her ability to identify the key essentials of good laboratory functionality and process flow, enables her to produce simple, logical, and appropriate solutions to seemingly complex requirements. Understanding the clients’ goals and being there to provide guidance in her area of expertise has led her to develop long term relationships with a series of clients that include Johnson & Johnson, Novo Nordisk, Dynavax Corporation, and the SLAC Linear Accelerator Center.

Ms. Dhar has a Masters in Architecture from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is a licensed architect and a LEED Accredited Professional and was recently recognized as a 2010 "Women of Influence" by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.