The Venter Laboratory: Zero Energy
Ted Hyman, FAIA, LEED AP® BD+C, ZGF Architects LLP
Peter Rumsey, P.E., FASHRAE, Integral Group
The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) is a not-for-profit research and support organization with more than 400 scientists and staff dedicated to human, microbial, plant and environmental genomic research, the exploration of social and ethical issues in genomics, and seeking alternative energy solutions through genomics. Integral Group and ZGF worked together to design a technologically innovative and creative system to achieve the ambitious and ground-breaking dual goal of net zero carbon/net zero energy and LEED® Platinum in this new 45,000-square-foot laboratory headquarters. The design includes chilled beams, radiant cooling and heating, and water-efficient strategies such as rainwater catchment. It will be the first net zero laboratory in the United States.
The design process went beyond simple collaboration to a deep level of cooperation. This process allowed the architectural design to be part of the solution to achieve net zero. Strategies, such as building orientation, envelope design, and the massing of the building, worked hand-in-hand with the mechanical design to lessen the energy impact. The photovoltaic array used to supply power is integrated into the architecture and serves as a major architectural element.
The speakers will discuss both the design approach used and the specific system decisions made to achieve the net zero laboratory. The architecture of the building has a direct and significant impact on the building performance; the speakers will discuss the key features of the architecture that contribute to the net zero achievement, as well as the design process used to achieve them. The speakers will also delve into some detailed discussions of design methods and the systems they yielded. For example, the design approach used to achieve net zero carbon (i.e., no fuel use on site) demonstrated the integrated design approach. There was an effort to minimize heating loads, first through optimizing the shell and cascading airflows, then the team identified waste heat sources to preheat incoming air on the peak days that drive equipment sizing (the laboratory 24-hour ventilation requirements drove the need for heating), and finally a system was designed to serve the manageably small remaining heat load.
Biographies:
Ted Hyman is managing partner of ZGF's Los Angeles office. Focused on technical design and project delivery, he has led teams for many of the firm's most challenging and technologically complex projects, taking responsibility for the programming, management, coordination, production, and construction administration. Mr. Hyman has been responsible for guiding the design and implementation of a broad range of research facilities, hospitals, courthouses, and other civic buildings nationally, including the LEED Double Platinum Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management on the University of California (UC), Santa Barbara, campus, one of the first of 12 projects in the country to be LEED certified and one of the first two buildings in the country to achieve a Platinum rating. Mr. Hyman has a particular passion for integrated design and developing strategies for the integration of sustainable systems, materials, and technology.
Peter Rumsey is managing principal and director of Integral Group, West Coast. Widely recognized as a global leader in energy efficiency and sustainable building design, Mr. Rumsey has worked in the engineering and energy consulting industry for 25 years. Mr. Rumsey has directed the design of 18 LEED Platinum Certified projects, as well as 12 Net Zero and four Living Building Challenge projects currently in design. Mr. Rumsey has been responsible for many key innovations in energy efficient design and analysis, including pioneering the use of chilled beams, efficient outside air systems that eliminate reheat, radiant cooling systems, and low pressure drop systems in United States laboratories, as well as the use of guaranteed performance contracts for HVAC systems based solely on measured system data. Additionally, one of his major areas of innovation is making green affordable. Mr. Rumsey received his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from UC Berkeley.