Heat pumps are also becoming more commercially viable, according Jackson, as they come in
an array of shapes and sizes–from small air-source
variable-refrigerant flow (VRF) systems up to large-scale ground-coupled heat-recovery chiller plants.
“These are more effective than boilers, because
instead of turning fuel into heat, they simply transfer heat from one space to another,” says Jackson.
In addition to HVAC items, low-flow and
flow-limiting devices on water fixtures are more
widely used in laboratories today. Also, various technologies for managing airflow through
fume hoods have become more widely accepted,
including such measures as zone presence sensors
to reduce face velocity when an operator isn’t
present, automatic sash closers and constant face
velocity flow control, according to Yacknowitz.
Emerging as an important trend is also a focus
on integrating utilities and building technologies
into adaptive, reusable and flexible spaces for
science. “The concept of adaptive laboratories
is of interest to clients who can remain flexible
in their programming over time while lowering
replacement costs,” says Bill Harris, Practice
Leader, Principal, Perkins+Will.
Systemized utility racks allow laboratory personnel to quickly rearrange laboratory benches
to address pressing research needs, instead of
engaging in costly and wasteful renovations that
would have been the only solution a few years ago.
“The programming requirements of our clients
can change very quickly, and ultimately, the most
sustainable solution for addressing evolutions in
the workplace is one that doesn’t require new construction, but instead focuses on adaptability to
most efficiently meet their goals,” says Harris.
A/E/C firms are also seeing building management systems (BMS) and related controls becoming more sophisticated as they offer technological
solutions to reducing energy consumption, both
initially and long term, with significant results.
As energy costs rise and laboratories become more
air-tight, Building Envelope Commissioning (BECx)
is also becoming more typical, as the envelope will
play a greater role in driving energy consumption.
“Several products are available to minimize thermal
bridging, and greater QA/QC collaboration on projects yields a better product,” says Jackson.
Overall, laboratories are searching for ways to
customize their spaces without driving up costs.
Many vendors are now able to accommodate these
needs by working with designers and researchers
to create benches and casework that’s mobile, light,
adaptable and highly functional at a reasonable
cost. Comfort and safety are important in the lab-
oratory environment as well. “Flooring that meets
safety standards and is ergonomically supportive
is key,” says Jackson. “We specify finishes that will
stand up to the intensity of use, are sustainable
(VOC free, recycled content) and are going to per-
form over the life of the building.”
As with most sustainable construction, materials
which have low volatile organic compound (VOC)
content are becoming preferred. “This mostly
impacts adhesive, paint and finish materials specifi-
cations,” says Yacknowitz. The use of low ozone-de-
pleting and global warming potential refrigerants
in equipment such as chillers, direct-expansion air
conditioners, cold rooms, freezers and ice makers
are also quite common in laboratory settings.
A/E/C firms have also observed an increased
focus on the materials that go into a building’s
facade and how they may impact the overall
performance. “Things such as thermal breaks to
improve the thermal performance, which were
hardly considered three years ago, are now becoming more conventional,” says Love. “There has also
been an increasing emphasis on how the facade
design may impact the building performance,
looking at things like how much glass and where
should it be to balance between performance,
aesthetics, daylight and the connections between
occupants and the exterior,” continues Love.
What’s next for sustainable laboratories?
Beyond high-efficiency equipment, sustainable
materials and improved technologies, the most
important contributor to healthier environment
is the end user. “Engaging scientists and staff
to be more aware of the material and energy
consumption of their own spaces encourages the
type of efficient operations that are at the center
of sustainable projects and performance,” says
Harris. Implementing direct feedback and local
control, whether at the laboratory bench, fume
hood or office, helps the individual recognize the
importance of their personal behavior in defining
sustainable outcomes for their workplaces.
Some standard approaches and benchmarks in
determining minimum air change rates in labo-
ratory spaces and within fume hood have led to
very energy-intensive HVAC systems. “These rates
are often prescriptive, typically set by owner safe-
ty management in response to a range of values
commonly used in the industry,” says Yacknowitz.
“There is an opportunity to employ a risk-based
approach to determine these minimum rates on
a space-by-space basis, which could lead to a
significant downsizing of central HVAC systems
and resulting energy use.” A risk-based approach
will require rigorous methodologies, and direct
involvement by safety, facilities and user groups to
be effective. The potential capital and operational
savings, as well as overall carbon generation, are
potentially huge, according to Yacknowitz.
Resiliency is also an increasingly important
consideration in sustainable laboratory design.
“Today, the conversation considers ‘one-off’
events: natural disasters, power disruption and
more,” says Jackson. “In the future, I project need-
ing to consider how a building adapts to these
challenges and to climate change over time.”
—Lindsay Hock, Editor
Bigelow Labs in Maine does environmental research from a magnificent natural site. Creating a LEED Platinum research
building was integral to its process and identity. Image: Peter Vanderwarker