Although the university ultimately decided not to seek LEED or similar greenbuilding certification, the W B-24 renovation is robustly sustainable in construction and occupancy. The S+P team’s process always includes a proposal for certification, what it would require and what it would likely achieve. The university’s decision not to certify, based on the proposal, did not significantly alter the firm’s approach to sustainable design and construction, in large part because the green-building techniques and systems employed dovetailed with project goals and budget constraints. For example, the pendant fixtures used to replace the original recessed lighting do, in fact, meet the latest LEED standards, but they were employed more specifically because of their energy efficiency and improved light quality.
S+P remains closely involved with the facility, which opened in fall 2012. The project took about six months to complete compared to an eight- to 12-month timeframe for a gut renovation. Since occupancy, S+P has been undertaking certain small redesign and customization projects for specific research teams and goals. This is within the scope of the firm’s post-occupancy work and amounts only to minor adjustments for highly specialized equipment. With the university utilizing the space as a recruiting tool to lure top scientific names, some of these recruits bring with them requirements for specific research tools associated with high-powered microscopy. These include systems, such as specialty lighting, darkroom curtains, overhead equipment and storage racks, lasers, confocal and fluorescence microscopes (some of which employ floating tables), and clean air walk-in chambers. The flexible world-class lab facility now occupying the former Bayer building can accommodate all of these.
Ultimately, it is the enjoyment of the lab by its occupants that is the greatest achievement of this renovation. Because the design supports the scientists, and by extension the science itself, the new nanotech lab will soon see scientific advances and breakthroughs that redound positively on the facility and on the university.
Retrofit Materials
Cabinet doors, rolling cabinets, casework and carrels: Thermo Fisher Scientific, www.thermofisher.com
Vinyl flooring: Gerflor, www.gerflorusa.com
Ceiling tiles: Ultima from Armstrong, www.armstrong.com/commceilingsna
Lay-in lighting: Columbia Lighting, www.columbialighting.com
Pendant/specialty lighting: Axis, www.axislighting.com
Glass partitions
- Demountable system: Steelcase, www.steelcase.com
- Glass panes: Ruby Glass Co., www.rubyglassco.com
New wood floors: Kährs, www.kahrs.com/en-us
Broadloom carpet: Bentley Prince Street Inc., www.bentleyprincestreet.com
Ergonomic furnishings: Steelcase
Retrofit Team
Architect: Svigals + Partners LLP, New Haven, Conn., www.svigals.com
General contractor/construction management: Whiting Turner, Baltimore, www.whiting-turner.com
Structural engineer: Vanderweil Engineers, Boston, www.vanderweil.com
Lab planner: Svigals + Partners Robert Skolozdra, AIA, LEED AP
Interior-design consultant: Lynn Brotman Interior Design, New Haven, (203) 772-3011
Laboratory solutions specialist: Gibson Associates Inc., Sudbury, Mass., www.gibsonlab.com