Sep 19 2007
Perkins+Will, a global leader in sustainable architecture and design, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announce the CDC Division of Laboratory Sciences, Building 110, as the first high-performance federal government laboratory to achieve Gold LEED Certification. With this Certification, the facility makes history among federal buildings. The sustainable components of the building not only significantly reduce the impact on the environment but save a substantial amount of money, effectively lightening the burden on taxpayers.
The design of the building offers a conservative upfront savings of $847,000 and an annual savings estimated at over a million dollars. The cost savings can be broken down as follows:
- $847,000 upfront – due to flexible design of lab – interstitial floors that save storage space, multipurpose flexible office space, mobile casework and equipment zones. The inclusion of interstitial floors eliminated the need to build an entire additional floor.
- $400,000 annual – due to laboratory flexibility – lab is easily and quickly reconfigured
- $175,000 annual – due to energy-efficient design
- $500,000 annual – due to productivity gains – effects of a healthy workplace and employee satisfaction, conservatively estimated at 2.5% of worker salaries
“The goal of this building is to enhance our research capabilities while doing so in a sustainable way,” said James L. Pirkle, M.D., Ph.D, Deputy Director for Science, DLS, CDC. “www.perkinswill.com [Perkins+Will delivered the strategy and creative thought needed to achieve this objective. With so many sustainable elements incorporated, the lab as a whole operates more smoothly. It allows our scientists to focus on conquering major health challenges with ease and efficiency.”
“The design of Building 110 significantly improves the work environment for CDC,” said Manuel Cadrecha, Design Director, Perkins+Will. “We have blended practical elements of sustainability such as better air quality and use of natural daylight with sophisticated, quality design. This mix creates an operationally effective laboratory and a superior research environment.”
Sustainable design elements of Building 110 range from energy efficiency to sustainable land use. High performance glazing and exterior sunshades maximize daylight contributions and minimize electrical lighting demands within the building. Daylighting and occupancy sensors are provided in all office and lab spaces to conserve energy. The building boasts 23.7% reduction in energy use over similar conventional buildings.
“We have proven that labs can conserve energy,” explained James E. Myrick, Ph.D., Research Chemist, CDC. “Building 110 will save approximately $175,000 per year in energy costs alone over a non-LEED building. That’s savings for taxpayers.”
The magnitude and complexity of CDC Building 110 made it even more difficult to attain such a high level of LEED certification. It is the largest and most complex federal laboratory to receive LEED Gold in the United States. The only other federally owned laboratory to receive a higher rating is the smaller, less complex National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, which received a platinum accreditation.
“This project was critical in the implementation of the laboratory portion of CDC’s Chamblee Campus Master Plan,” said George Chandler, Director of CDC’s Buildings and Facilities Office. “Building 110 allowed CDC to replace several old, substandard, energy inefficient lab buildings dating from the 1940’s through the 1970’s. These old buildings have since been demolished, making way for future laboratory projects at the Chamblee Campus in accordance with CDC’s highest and best use policy, while retaining substantial campus greenspace and conserving environmentally sensitive areas.”
Chandler added, “The CDC team of architects and contracting officers, including Angela Wagner, Tanya Bertsch, Jerry Stephenson and Mark Federer, who allowed the project to be so successful for our internal clients, have delivered several other important lab and lab support projects at Chamblee. Building 110 is certainly the jewel in the Chamblee Master Plan crown.”
Additional Sustainable Components:
- The design also includes smart storm water management, directing rainfall to gardens to reduce the amount of rainfall leaving the site by over 25%.
- The site’s landscape design is comprised of primarily native and adapted plantings which will not require extensive irrigation. Equipment condensate is captured in underground containers to provide 100% of site irrigation needs, eliminating the need for externally-supplied irrigation water.
- Indoor air quality control is managed through separate Air Handling Units for laboratories and offices. Through zoning lab and office uses, the system is tailored to best fit the needs of occupants. These systems reduce operational costs by at least 5-10%.
- Over 50% of the site was previously impervious development for use by the military, and this project restored open space and habitat to the site and campus. The restored habitat also reduces the urban heat island and ground-level ozone and helps offset CO2 emissions.
- Local and recyclable materials further minimize the negative impact on the planet. Over 46% of materials were sourced regionally. Renewable materials such as bamboo were used to help preserve and protect natural resources. A total of 21.7% of all materials and products used on the project were recycled content. And finally, over 56% of construction waste was recycled, including metals, gypsum, fibers and concrete/paving.