James Center for Molecular & Life Sciences
“How the team worked together to deliver a LEED Platinum Lab Facilitythat saves 7.5 million gallons of potable water annually”
Eckerd College: Think Outside
Project Goals
• Create a living, breathing classroom• Educate students about ecological and environmental stewardship
• New undergraduate research lab facility reflecting unique educational pedagogy, physical context of the campus and their sustainable culture
• A lab facility, which by its very nature is an “energy hog” that was energy efficient and met Eckerd’s commitment to sustainable facilities with low greenhouse gas emissions
Key Sustainable Components
• Innovative cooling system using reclaimed water from the neighboring reclaimed water plant resulting in saving over 7.5 million gallons of potable water annually
• Heat‐reflective exterior coatings• Fabric parasols for building shading and usable outdoor collaboration, study and event space
• A highly sophisticated building automation system which reports efficiency of mechanical systems, energy consumption, lighting controls (daylight harvesting), thermal comfort controls, and humidity
Key Sustainable Components
• Every teaching space, every faculty office and most collaboration spaces are located at exterior wall.
• Exterior glass is shaded allowing large areas of glass and expansive views outside to the adjacent green space
• Fill dirt required for foundations was recycled from the excavation of an onsite pond which doubles as a storm water control feature and provides additional onsite aquatic habitat, which was greatly desired by the biology faculty
• One button remote shutdown feature of the building’s MEP systems in severe weather
• Building systems are flexibly designed to enable future addition of a rooftop photovoltaic system
Key Sustainable Components
• Lobby features sliding glass walls that enable it to transform to an open‐air space
• Large, low‐velocity ceiling fans maintain occupant comfort• Variable‐air velocity exhaust system that reduces laboratory and fume‐hood exhaust rates when labs are unoccupied
• Dual‐pane insulated‐glass windows with horizontal exterior‐mounted sunshades
• Sensors that calibrate interior lighting to ambient daylight• Building dashboard system that lets building occupants see energy consumption levels in each room
Key Sustainable Components• Roof is coated with a sprayed‐on foam, solar‐reflective “cool” roof reducing air‐conditioning loads, improves thermal comfort for non‐air conditioned spaces, and decreases the roof temperature
• Waterless urinals are used throughout• Florida‐native and drought tolerant landscaping• Bamboo cabinetry veneer finishes were used vs. wood panels• Designed in shape of skewed “H” and oriented on the property to enhance energy savings
• Over 90% of the construction debris was diverted to recycling centers vs. landfills
• Over 50% of the building materials were milled or manufactured within 500 miles of the project
• Interior finishes such as paint, furnishings, and floor coverings utilized Low VOC emitting materials
Project Results / Lessons Learned
• LEED Platinum Certification, exceeded both owner and team goals• Innovative cooling system using reclaimed water from neighboring reclaimed water plant resulting in saving over 7.5 million gallons of potable water annually
• This provides an 11‐year payback over traditional air‐cooled chiller alternative systems
• New “usable” outdoor space provided by exterior plaza area that is fully covered with 14,000 SF of tensile fabric structure that provides shelter from the sun and rain
• Precast concrete wall panels – increased building longevity and reduced maintenance
Project Results / Lessons Learned
• All listed sustainable components result in OVER A 30% ENERGY SAVINGS and have significantly contributed to the environment in water resource savings
• The project is and will continue to be a “living and breathing” classroom of sustainability
