Making Gold: CDC Lab Attains LEED Status

Published 10/19/2007

Compiled from information provided by Perkins+Will

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently achieved a milestone-- the CDC Division of Laboratory Sciences, Building 110 in Atlanta, Ga., became the first high-performance federal government laboratory to achieve Gold LEED Certification. With this certification, the facility sets new standard for federal buildings. Designed by Perkins+Will, the sustainable elements of the building reduce the impact on the environment and, also, thanks to energy-efficient measures, saves a substantial amount of money.

“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. “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 Numbers So what type of savings can the CDC look forward to with its new ‘green’ laboratory? For starters, the building’s design alone offers a conservative upfront savings of $847,000.

And the annual savings? An estimated over a million dollars per year.

Here’s how the cost savings break down:

$847,000 upfront: These initial savings are due to the flexible design of lab-- interstitial floors that save storage space, multipurpose flexible office space, mobile casework and equipment zones. Also, the inclusion of interstitial floors eliminated the need to build an entire additional floor. $400,000 annual: This annual savings is thanks to laboratory flexibility—the lab is easily and quickly reconfigured.

$175,000 annual: As a result of energy-efficient design, approximately $175,000 is saved every year.

$500,000 annual: As a result of a healthy workplace and more employee satisfaction, it is conservatively estimated that productivity gains will be at 2.5 percent of worker salaries.

“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. In addition, daylighting and occupancy sensors are provided in all office and lab spaces to conserve energy. The building boasts 23.7 percent reduction in energy use over similar conventional buildings.

“We have proven that labs can conserve energy,” remarked 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.”

LEED Challenges 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 1940s through the 1970s. 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 green space and conserving environmentally sensitive areas. Additional sustainable components of the building include:

--The design also incorporates smart storm water management, directing rainfall to gardens to reduce the amount of rainfall leaving the site by over 25 percent.

--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 percent 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 percent to 10 percent.

--Over 50 percent 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 percent of materials were sourced regionally. Renewable materials such as bamboo were used to help preserve and protect natural resources. A total of 21.7 percent of all materials and products used on the project were recycled content. And finally, over 56 percent of construction waste was recycled, including metals, gypsum, fibers and concrete/paving.

Established in 1935, Perkins+Will is an integrated design firm serving clients from offices in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Hartford, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Research Triangle Park, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Vancouver, Victoria, and Washington, DC. With the highest number of LEED Accredited Professionals of any design firm in the world, Perkins+Will is recognized as a preeminent sustainable design firm in the country. The firm practices architecture, interior design, branded environments and planning + strategies with clients in corporate + commercial + civic, healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, and science + technology markets. Perkins+Will routinely ranks among the world’s top design firms and has received hundreds of awards, including the prestigious American Institute of Architects’ “Firm of the Year Award.”