Results from a Labs21 Partner Project: University of California, Berkeley, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences

Joseph Collins, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP® BD+C, ZGF Architects LLP
James Sokol, P.E., Affiliated Engineers NW, Inc.

The University of California (UC), Berkeley, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences is UC Berkeley's new nexus for multidisciplinary research in the emerging fields of stem cell biology and brain imaging. Housing more than 450 researchers, the five-story building spans 204,000 square feet and promotes collaboration, discovery, and interaction in a highly flexible, efficient, and welcoming facility. Supported by the Labs21 Partnership Program, this high-performance center is anticipated to use 28 percent less energy than a Title 24 baseline laboratory, as well as achieve LEED® Gold certification. Actual performance is being monitored and the speakers will discuss some preliminary results in this presentation.

Located in a prominent campus location, the building massing and orientation efficiently supports programmed uses while optimizing views, daylight, and solar heat gain management. To allow generous views and light, open laboratory bays are oriented to the north and east. A central spine of support spaces also allows for efficient distribution of overhead services with minimal impact to the laboratory ceiling heights. The building is zoned to locate office spaces in close proximity to laboratories, and also support low-energy, occupant-controlled strategies such as natural ventilation and operable solar control. Art-glass installations in the elevator lobbies illuminate red and green to communicate favorable conditions for operable window use with building occupants. Fixed solar shading and operable windows are also engaged to reduce energy loads at conference rooms, interaction and circulation spaces.

During this presentation, the speakers will discuss the unique design and engineering partnership that developed the project's energy efficiency objectives. The client, engineer, architect, Labs21, Savings by Design (Pacific Gas and Electric Company), and an energy modeler were engaged. An early integrated design charrette established design and performance strategies, and was followed by value-engineering and peer-review sessions by the same group to confirm performance priorities. The resulting strategies include:

  • Laboratory ventilation rates of six air changes per hour to balance safety and efficiency.
  • Cascading return air, where office return air is mixed into laboratory supply air. The economizer mode uses up to 100 percent outside air, and all laboratory air is exhausted.
  • Right-sizing design to efficiently support anticipated demands.
  • Daylighting through space design, facade assembly, and integrated controls.
  • Low-energy lighting design, including task and ambient lighting fixtures.

Performance of the laboratory, including energy use and occupant satisfaction, is being analyzed through a series of post-occupancy studies. The speakers will discuss monitoring protocols and initial results in this presentation.

Biographies:

Joseph Collins offers 30 years of professional practice, and has developed expertise in overseeing multidisciplinary teams working with multiple client user groups in a highly collaborative manner. Mr. Collins has directed work on several of the firm's most complex projects across the country. Through his leadership in the programming and design of a number of new interdisciplinary bioscience, bioengineering, and nanotechnology research and teaching facilities over the last decade, Mr. Collins is at the forefront of innovation in sustainable laboratory design. Recently, he has led teams designing other academic facilities, theaters, science museums, and large-scale mixed use urban redevelopment projects. Mr. Collins is a recognized authority on the planning and sustainable design of research and teaching laboratory facilities, including projects at Oregon Health and Sciences University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, University of Washington, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Davis, and Oregon State University.

James Sokol has 30 years of mechanical engineering, project management, and construction management experience. He has been involved in all phases of project development, including master planning, conceptual design, cost estimate and construction document development, scheduling, and construction supervision. As a strong communicator and project leader, Mr. Sokol has developed innovative communication tools and techniques to help educate building owners and decision makers about complex technical content related to building design and costs, the modern use of energy, and sustainability issues. For Affiliated Engineers NW, Inc., Mr. Sokol has served as the principal-in-charge and project manager for a wide variety of projects for research laboratories and healthcare facilities. He recently led the MEP design for the UC Berkeley Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, which is targeting LEED Gold certification and features several sustainable design elements.