The Human Touch—Leaving Your Fingerprint on a Sustainable Laboratory

Michelle Gangel, AIA, LEED AP, PGAV Architects
Susan Halla, Crime Lab Design

The Johnson County Criminalistics Laboratory, on track to be the first LEED® Platinum crime laboratory in the United States, focuses both on the science of criminal justice as well as the human factors of usability for the criminalists who comprise the staff. The crime laboratory is co-located on a site with the Johnson County Communication Center, which allows for a shared central plant, meeting rooms, and an exercise room for staff.

The Johnson County Criminalistics Laboratory is oriented on the site to take advantage of natural light and views from the laboratory spaces. Maximum north and south exposure with large overhangs and horizontal sunshading control light levels on the south. Deep vertical and horizontal sunshades on the east and west allow for views out and controlled daylight into the spaces.

The plan is organized with modular laboratories around a central break and gathering area to be named Locard's Plaza. Locard was the director of the very first crime laboratory in existence, located in France. Locard's exchange principle states that "with contact between two items, there will be an exchange." Employees will gather at the plaza to exchange ideas, have informal meetings, and catch up on the latest journals. Office areas for laboratory personnel are located in close proximity to both the laboratory spaces as well as the central plaza. Similar to Locard's exchange principle, these highly collaborative spaces will nurture the communal aspects already inherent in this group of criminalists, leading to more productive and thoughtful work by the laboratory.

Forensic scientists have very specialized tasks and needs, including the right quantity and types of light to make visual determinations that are critical to their science. Some scientists are looking to discern barely perceptible differences in coloration between drug evidence. Others are counting on their ability to visually discriminate between example fingerprints. While bright day-lit spaces are favorable, sometimes that is not enough. We will discuss how the design is able to meet sustainable goals and still provide intense lighting where needed.

Biographies:

Michelle Gangel has dedicated her professional life to the creation of spaces for learning, research, exploration, and collaboration. Ms. Gangel's project experience over the past 17 years with PGAV Architects includes academic and research laboratories throughout the Midwest. Ms. Gangel has always been guided by her deep commitment to sustainability.

Ms. Gangel is serving as the project manager for the Johnson County Criminalistics Laboratory, overseeing the programming and design of the facility. Ms. Gangel earned her designation as a LEED AP in 2003, but a commitment to sustainable design has always been a part of what she considers her responsibility as a design professional.

Ms. Gangel is largely responsible for the creation of PGAV's best practices, dedicated to educating, inspiring, and enabling every member of the firm to make informed decisions and lead the project team toward sustainability. Michelle is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Susan Halla is a senior forensic laboratory planner and project manager with Crime Lab Design. Ms. Halla's experience includes all phases of project development from programming through construction administration. She masterfully communicates the unique design challenges of forensic laboratories though facility discussions with both the project team and the client/user groups in the effort to address long-term strategies. In doing so, Ms. Halla facilitates complex design solutions that will serve the organization's needs, for both today and tomorrow. Ms. Halla's forensic expertise includes the programming, planning, and design as well as construction administration of both forensic laboratories and medical examiner facilities.