Achieving Low-Energy Demand in University Laboratories—Two Case Studies
John Andary, P.E., LEED AP, Integral Group
During this presentation, the speaker will focus on achieving low energy demand (low carbon footprint) for university laboratory buildings with a minimal or no increase in construction budget. This is possible through a fully integrated design process that concentrates on passive architecture along with matching passive-type building systems. This results in building costs that are transferred from engineering systems to architectural systems. At the same time, energy consumption of the building is reduced while thermal comfort and indoor air quality conditions are improved, yet the safety and function of the building are not compromised.
The speaker will discuss two case studies: the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan Fipke Centre for Innovative Research and the UBC Arts and Science buildings. The speaker will cover how the integrated design approach and passive versus active concepts were utilized. The presentation will conclude with actual utility billing summaries. Currently, the Fipke building is operating at approximately 350 kilowatt hours per square meter, all-in energy, including process and plug loads.
Located in the UBC Okanagan campus, the Fipke Centre for Innovative Research is a multi-purpose academic and research facility spanning 75,000 square feet. It is designed to accommodate office space, classrooms, teaching laboratories, research laboratories, and student support areas. Design goals focused on reflecting generic modular design, as well as the ease of converting into a primary research and teaching facility.
Integral Group provided mechanical design services focused on sustainability to help this project meet UBC's commitment to environmental stewardship. Key responsibilities included the design and modeling for passive elements, including natural/wind driven ventilation, displacement ventilation, high thermal mass, a high-performance envelope, radiant slab heating and cooling, a district energy system, low-flow fume hoods, and heat reclamation systems.
Another notable element is a weather station that monitors wind speed and direction. This data will become invaluable in the design of effective ventilation systems. The UBC Okanagan Fipke Centre for Innovative Research achieved five Green Globes under the Green Globes Eco-Rating Program, a significant accomplishment for a laboratory building.
The Arts and Science Building is a five-story academic and research facility. Spanning 86,200 square feet, this multi-purpose building houses classrooms and teaching and research laboratories, as well as offices, student commons, a theatre, and an animal care facility. It embodies the values of UBC Okanagan's academic plan in its response to place, community, and connectivity within an adaptive, flexible, and sustainable center for innovation. This building also included a variable refrigerant flow system.
Biography:
John Andary has more than 25 years of consulting engineering experience with a strong background in project management and team leadership. Throughout his career, he has worked in various market sectors including higher education, healthcare, civic, industry, commercial, hospitality, recreation, and laboratory design. John believes that sustainable design is an engineer's social responsibility. His passion for this cause has led him to work on numerous LEED® projects, including six projects targeting or achieving Platinum certification. He was the principal sustainable design consultant and energy concept developer for the Research Support Facility on the campus of the Department of Energy;s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which, at 350,000 square feet, will be the largest LEED Platinum NZEB in North America, and possibly the world. Mr. Andary has also been consulting on the master plan for the NREL campus, which is targeting net zero energy.