Let No Btu Go Unchallenged: Integrating Systems for High-Performance Laboratories
Laurie Canup, THA Architecture
Bruce Johnson, P.E., HDR, Inc.
The challenge: Located on an extremely tight site with constraints on all sides, the University of Oregon's new Lewis Integrated Science Building was required to exceed the Oregon energy code by more than 40 percent, minimize its impact on its local utility plant, and reduce potable water consumption for sewerage conveyance by more than 50 percent. Designed to encourage a sense of connectedness and interaction that cross disciplinary work thrives on, the project connects to four adjacent buildings at six different locations. These parameters put limits on the floor-to-floor heights, requiring the design team to carefully analyze layouts for the low-velocity ducts serving the laboratories. Through a highly successful integrative design process, the project is leading the way on campus as the first project to successfully reach outside the project boundaries to seek ultimate sustainable solutions. A virtual Labs21 Case Study, this project employs a myriad of Labs21 strategies to save energy and water.
Modeled to achieve energy cost savings 60 percent above ASHRAE 90.1, the largest single energy saving measure takes waste heat out of the existing below-grade campus utility tunnel.
As part of the integrated design approach, the design team identified available resources "within reach" of the new building. While employing a majority of the energy and water conservation strategies endorsed by Labs21, the design team evaluated the unique opportunities that this building's integration into the Lokey Science complex would provide. Two of the major opportunities that were identified during the design process included the reclamation of reverse osmosis (RO) system reject water from an adjacent building and use of waste heat from steam utility tunnels that serve the complex.
Reclamation of the RO system reject water was considered for potential reuse as both an energy and water conservation opportunity. It was ultimately determined that it would be collected as grey water for use in the plumbing system.
The design team also considered how to best use the waste heat available from the utility tunnel housing steam lines serving the campus. It was determined that there was a continual need for some level of reheat for the zone supply air in most spaces. It turned out the available waste heat was a good match for the low-temperature heating water system utilizing an air-to-water heat pump selected for this application.
Biographies:
Laurie Canup is a registered architect and an associate with THA Architecture. For the past 17 years, Ms. Canup has dedicated her career to serving higher education clients. She has strong technical and management skills, which allow her to serve in a strong leadership role on her projects. She has a passion for sustainable architecture with a focus on high-quality design, and this passion strongly influences her work. Ms. Canup's technical expertise allows her to serve in the office as the quality control reviewer for projects with complex envelopes and/or systems. Ms. Canup has a Bachelor of Science in architecture from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Bruce W. Johnson is a registered professional mechanical engineer who has been designing laboratory facilities for more than 30 years and has been with HDR Architecture for more than five years. HDR is an integrated architecture and engineering company focusing on science and technology, as well as healthcare building designs, with a focus on sustainability and energy conservation. Offering comprehensive knowledge of systems design alternatives and applications, he has developed concept and final designs for national laboratories, academic facilities, and public and private sector clients including work in HVAC, process support systems, hazardous materials, exhaust treatment systems, and controls for energy conservation. Mr. Johnson graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering (air conditioning and refrigeration option), where he was nominated to the Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honor Society. Mr. Johnson is a current member of ASHRAE.