Groundbreaking Held for San Diego Environmentally-Friendly, Net-Zero Lab
SAN DIEGO — A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held on Sept. 20 for the construction of a new $35 million laboratory at the University of California, San Diego campus — designed to be the most environmentally friendly and the only net-zero biological laboratory in the world, according to project officials.
The 45,000-square-foot laboratory will be the home to the J. Craig Venter Institute to further its goals in genomic research and policy, and will provide workspace for about 125 scientists and other staff.
The facility is sited on land leased from the university at the Scripps Upper Mesa, chosen for its proximity to many academic research centers in the La Jolla area with hopes of potential collaboration, according to officials from the institute.
Formed in 2006 through the merger of several affiliated institutes, the institute employs about 300 scientists at its two locations in Rockville, Md. and San Diego.
President and Founder of the institute J. Craig Venter is known for his role in constructing the first synthetic bacterial cell and sequencing the human genome. He and his staff are focused on human, microbial, plant and environmental genomic research, the exploration of social and ethical issues in genomics.
As part of the institute’s efforts to seek alternative energy solutions through genomics, scientists are currently working to solve global climate change and dependence on hydrocarbons.
The facility aims to reflect the work being done in the lab, according to the institute website.
“Labs, and in particular genomic-focused ones, traditionally consume large quantities of energy to both run energy intensive scientific equipment and for heating and cooling,” according to the institute website. “The new JCVI building will feature all of the latest design and construction elements to ensure that it will exceed the requirements for LEED Platinum certification.”
The laboratories will include all typical wet and dry services found in biology labs. The design includes a flexible approach allowing a system to reconfigure spaces for both laboratory furniture and support infrastructure services to accommodate the “ever-changing research environment,” according to the website.
The dry laboratory space will also house DNA sequencing equipment and will include a flexible layout comprised of open and enclosed work areas, while the administrative areas will consist of offices and open modular seating.
Meeting areas will also accommodate both large and small groups, and seminar events.
St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Company was selected as the contractor on the project, with Portland, Ore.-based Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects as the design firm.
The laboratory will occupy one building consisting of a single-story laboratory wing, three-story office wing and a loading dock area, in addition to a partially below-grade parking structure, according to Craig Swenson, project director for McCarthy. The laboratory and office wings will sit atop the roof and podium deck of the parking garage.
Features include cedar wood siding, a wood window curtain wall and storefront system, metal panels, interior wood flooring, and exposed architectural concrete, which McCarthy will self-perform, according to the company.
Construction is targeted for completion in June 2013, and the building will be occupied by September 2013.
Proposed to be a net-zero site for electrical energy, the facility will integrate numerous energy efficiency measures throughout the building systems, including operable windows and efficient lighting and reducing internal plug loads wherever possible, according to Ted Hyman, partner with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects and principal architect for the new Institute.
In addition to high performance architecture, low-energy-use systems, water conservation strategies and onsite renewable power generation, the building massing and envelope have been designed to maximize the use of daylight to improve indoor comfort while further reducing overall building energy use, he said.
Hyman said the project team is targeting LEED Platinum certification.
“It was critical that we had a general contractor on board that not only had lab facility experience, but who also fully understood sustainability practices and how to navigate a project through the LEED certification process,” he said. “We have teamed with McCarthy on numerous such projects, and are looking forward to collaborating with them on this unprecedented, ultra-green facility.”
The project team also pursued a “zero discharge” philosophy for the site design based on the combined strategies of infiltration, on-site wastewater treatment, and water reuse, according to a statement from McCarthy.
On-site renewable energy will be generated through the sizeable photovoltaic and rainwater will be collected and stored in a cistern, filtered, then reused for toilet flushing and site irrigation.
In addition to recycled content, natural ventilation and passive cooling, the project team employed regional materials, native, low-water landscaping and high-efficiency plumbing to further reduce water use, along with the use of sustainable harvested wood.
Project team:
Architect and interior designer: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, LLP
Structural and Civil Engineer: KPFF Consulting
Electrical Engineer: Integrated Design Associates
Mechanical and Plumbing Engineer: Integral Group
Sustainable Design Consultant: Atelier Ten
Laboratory Planner: Jacobs Consultancy
Landscape Architect: Andropogon Associates
Environmental Designer: Natural Systems
Lighting Design Consultant: David Nelson & Associates
Cost Estimator: Davis Langdon