University of California, Riverside School of Medicine Research Building

University of California, Riverside

School of Medicine Research Building SRG PARTNERSHIP, INC 2012

Executive Summary The School of Medicine Research Building at the University of California-Riverside provides interim laboratory facilities pending construction of the University’s new medical center. The building is designed to attract highcaliber research faculty; accommodate a variety of research disciplines and teams; incorporate innovative research planning; and establish new benchmarks for sustainable design. These lofty expectations correlate with the design firm’s nderlying philosophy that stimulating and inviting human responses are essential ingredients for successful biomedical and life sciences research. We believe that successful environments for interaction and discovery are achieved by the thoughtful integration of function, technology and nature.

Site Constraints The new building is located on a highly constrained site at the periphery of an expanding biomedical sciences precinct. The 60,000 square foot, 3-story structure is oriented to relate to neighboring buildings, enhance adjoining open spaces and capture scenic views from all offic and lab areas. The exterior design is intentionally restrained, refl cting the building function and internal organization. Each elevation is visually interesting, handsomely proportioned, thoughtfully crafted, and integrated with the campuses architectural character.

The building plan is organized around a central core of shared uses and specialized research support.

“People” spaces are placed at the building perimeter and are distinguished by abundant natural light, pleasant views, attractive wood features, fl id circulation, and multiple areas for informal interaction and gathering.

The modular lab suites are designed as highly fl xible research neighborhoods adaptable to a wide range of biomedical investigation. Notable design features include unobstructed movement of personnel and materials, the absence of intervening doors in the lab suites, visual privacy and acoustical separation from adjoining spaces, fl xible layouts and easy reconfig ration, and numerous opportunities for individual regulation and control of personal work environments.

Sustainable Design The Research Building is on track to receive LEED™ Gold certification, exceeding UC Riverside’s initial criteria for LEED™ Silver. In addition, a DOE-2 energy model indicates the building’s annual Energy Use Intensity (EUI) at 128 Kbtu/sf, approximately 60% below baseline conditions, resulting in considerably lower energy consumption and estimated operational savings of approximately $500,000 per year. Numerous energy reduction and sustainable design strategies are integrated into the overall design, including: »» Minimized laboratory ventilation rates, (in compliance with campus safety standards) »» Reduced cooling loads based on metering comparable labs »» Active chilled beams for temperature control »» Optimum daylighting and controls »» Night fl sh ventilation in offic areas »» Extensive performance monitoring In summary, the School of Medicine Research Building carefully balances function, technology and nature in new, creative ways. Its inviting and stimulating human environment is complemented by highly functional, efficient, and fl xible research areas while establishing a new benchmark for energy efficiency an sustainable design.

PROJECT DATA »» Overall cost: $29M (excludes the fit- p of 1st fl or) »» Cost/sf: $483/sf »» Cost/m²: $5,206/m² »» Gross square feet: 60,000 sf »» Gross square meters: 5,574 m² »» Net to gross square foot ratio: 71%

RESPONSE “During the course of three years I actively participated in a truely collaborative effort, led by the SRG Partnership team, embracing, not only the input of engineers and consultants, but ‘pushing the envelope’ and technical proficiencies f a leader in manufacturing of controls and automated shading. ”

Chris C. Surunis, Manager Consultant of Commercial Lighting Controls, (formerly with Lutron Electronics, now with Crestron Electronics)

“This building incorporates a long list of innovative features and strategies – just a

few examples include the decision to eliminate doors from the lab entries, the use of chilled beams in the laboratories, the low-pressure mechanical system, and the night-fl shing system. However, the success of the project is the fact that all of the features are carefully coordinated and assembled to create a jewel-box of a building that fulfills its f nction with elegance and beauty.”

Richard M. Heinz, FAIA, Principal at Research Facilities Design

“This project has been a study in best practice collaboration between all design team members to push each other to achieve something better, focusing on creating a cutting edge sustainable environment for the owner and the building’s users, while meeting all their program requirements.”

Bill Vernon, PE Managing Director at AEI

“A rethinking of a complex lab building. The creation of beautiful light-fill

d spaces...a strong concept that pulls from projects such as the Salk Institute. The design of spaces makes it not feel like a lab building.”

2011 AIA Awards Jury, upon honoring a Merit Award Jury Members: Lisa Iwamoto of IWAMOTOSCOTT Architecture, Merrill Eleam of Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, and Vanewssa Kassabian of Snohetta

“The School of Medicine Research Building represents a new gold standard in lab

buildings in the University of California system and has been recognized for best design practices in sustainability. In every aspect from its extraordinary target in energy savings for a research lab, to fl xibility of program space, to creature comforts of 80% daylighting without harsh glare this project has set a new direction for labs on the campus at UC Riverside.”

Don W. Caskey, FAIA, Associate Vice Chancellor and Campus Architect at UC Riverside

“The design breaks new ground on important issues such as heating/cooling

efficienc , sustainability, use of natural resources (natural light and air use was maximized to an amazing extent), and space utilizations (great accommodation for research equipment, offic /conference space, and creative interaction space).”

Richard Luben, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Sciences and Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside

“Across the country, there are 15 new medical schools in various stages of

development. But there is only one of these new schools with such vigorous and unanimous community support – and that is the new school we have built here in Inland Southern California.”

Founding Medical School Dean G. Richard Olds, M.D. at the dedication

sITE, bUILDING, & pEOPLE

tHE rESEARCH eNVIRONMENT

tECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Plans & Elevations

Site, Building, & People The School of Medicine Research Building is located at the periphery of an expanding biomedical research precinct. The site is highly constrained by significant grade changes, existing roads and buildings, and a prominent natural feature, Picnic Hill, to the east. The compact, 60,000 square foot, 3-story structure responds to these conditions and is carefully oriented to relate to neighboring buildings, enhance adjoining open spaces, and capture scenic views from all offic and lab areas.

Character AND Spirit The design concept refl cts both the building’s human character and its utilitarian nature. A robust concrete structure is expressed throughout, with a warm, campus-standard brick exterior selectively added to enrich the elevations and provide human scale. Slender, vertical brick panels provide screening for exterior spaces and partial cladding of the concrete shear walls. In all cases, the 4-inch thickness of the brick is clearly expressed, with its most dramatic application as a series of single-wythe, 45-foot tall screen panels sheltering the exterior open stair and break-area balconies. This non-conventional application refl cts the innovative spirit of the science taking place beyond the main doors. The remaining exterior surfaces express the program functions within the building and include continuous clerestory glazing at laboratory and offic spaces, vertical view windows, night fl sh louvers at offic areas, and two types of metal panels.

The building’s interior features a generous sense of space and natural light. The concrete structure is made visible wherever possible, including the 14-foot high, exposed, flat slab c ilings. Carefully proportioned wood elements including wall panels, sliding screens and ceiling clouds add warmth and scale to the working spaces.

A central cylindrical service core extends vertically through the building and contains offic support, informal meeting and break areas, toilets, and the elevator. The offic areas create a spatial openness with views to the exterior from all occupied areas. Overhead fans and sliding wood screens allow individual occupants to adapt their work environments to climatic changes or personal preferences.

THE lab experience The planning layout establishes two moderately-scaled open lab neighborhoods that encourage interaction and collegiality. The perimeter work areas have immediate access to adjoining support areas and the central circulation/equipment corridor, while the absence of intervening doors creates an unusually fl id environment facilitating an easy fl w of people and materials. The lab suites retain the 14-foot volume and capitalize on the clerestory glazing with a unique motorized shade and daylighting system. Below the 9-foot line, vertical windows with sliding, louvered wood panels are carefully positioned to control light/glare and preserve views to the outside. Overhead utility distribution and movable wood casework allow lab users to quickly config re their space to accommodate their changing needs and equipment.

The School of Medicine Research Building serves as a model for future research facilities. Its unique arrangement of program functions and building systems creates an integrated environment, including offic space, open labs and lab support needs, that responds to a wide range of research activities as well as the human spirit.

The Research Environment The School of Medicine Research Building can accommodate a wide range of biomedical and life sciences research. A central circulation path efficiently c nnects all office and lab ar as. The open, modular lab suites provide direct access to both dedicated and shared lab support and are designed to accommodate short-term fl xibility and long-term adaptability. A continuous band of instrument/support space and fume hood alcoves separate the labs from the central circulation/equipment corridor, creating fl xible research neighborhoods with visual and acoustical privacy.

DYNAMIC Environment The design allows for an uninterrupted fl w of personnel and materials within the laboratory areas, an ideal scenario which typically conflicts with existing code and environmental health and safety regulations. The design team worked extensively with campus EH&S, facilities and code officials o ensure laboratory environment safety while removing intervening doors. The low-hazard classification of the labs and the separation of atmospheres via controls results in remarkable openness. The user representatives were ecstatic to discover an inviting research environment, rich with natural light and views, with uninterrupted access throughout a majority of their work areas.

Flexible Spaces Designed to prove short-term fl xibility, the facility allows research teams to quickly and easily config re the bench and support space to fit th ir needs. This is achieved through an integrated, overhead utility distribution system with a custom services interface panel; sinks and plumbing elements at perimeter walls; and a mobile casework system. Lab support spaces similarly incorporate extensive use of movable tables and cabinets to accommodate ongoing process and equipment changes. These strategies also allow for adaptability to meet potential, more extensive program changes in the future.

HIGH PERFORMANCE An innovative daylighting strategy achieves solar shading and glare control, thereby optimizing natural light and energy efficiency whil preserving views. Working closely with the user group, the design team established a uniform, 20 foot-candle ambient light level for occupied lab spaces. The design response optimized the use of natural light by utilizing the 14-foot lab height with continuous clerestory windows above 9 feet. Integrated motorized shades deploy from the sill upwards, and a sophisticated control system using rooftop and interior photo sensors responds dynamically to actual sky and daylighting conditions. This system is integrated with the artificial li hting, thereby ensuring a uniform ambient light level. Individual user fl xibility is provided by task lighting with occupancy sensors, sliding wood louver panels for sun control, and system override capabilities.

In summary, the building is designed to promote a functional and creative research environment with fl xible config rations, unimpeded traffic flows, a balance between communal and private spaces, and natural light and views throughout – all contributing to a remarkable place to work.

Technology & Innovation SRG stresses an empirical basis for decisions and directly engages building users and facilities personnel. This approach mirrors that of scientific disc very by establishing objectives, studying alternatives, analyzing data and formulating conclusions. To maximize building performance and sustainability strategies, all major facets of the School of Medicine Research Building were examined using this methodology expanded to include highly experienced consultants, an independent energy research partner, a major collaborator from industry, and representatives from UCR’s operating and energy management staff. The process produced significant energy savings, and facilitated several new innovations optimizing daylight, minimizing cooling loads, and measuring actual performance.

Energy Savings The creative application of several emerging technologies resulted in significant energy reduction. Using the University’s USGBC LEED™ Silver criteria as a base condition, the team established more ambitious performance goals, including the Architecture 2030 goals for 2010 (targeting energy consumption by 60% below baseline levels) and the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Since national standards for laboratory facilities are not available from the Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), the team worked with Architecture 2030 to establish an annual baseline or Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 300 Kbtu/sf/year and a building target EUI of 120 Kbtu/sf/year (60% below the baseline). These calculations utilized data from the Department of Energy’s Labs for the 21st Century program and comparable projects. Clearly, this target is extremely aggressive for a research facility in Southern California’s hot and arid inland climate.

The building is on track to receive LEED™ Gold certification, xceeding UC Riverside’s initial criteria for LEED™ Silver; and the DOE-2 energy model indicates the building’s annual energy consumption at 128 Kbtu/sf, slightly above the original target. The implications of this reduced energy strategy have significant benefits with lower initial costs (fewer air handlers, less ductwork, fewer parts and pieces), reduced operational costs (less energy consumption, less water, etc.), and lower maintenance (simpler systems and fewer moving parts). Potential cost savings are estimated at $500,000 per year or higher depending on the calculations. As phased occupancy occurs, the design team will monitor building performance to recalibrate the energy model and validate that the building and its systems are performing as expected.

The final d sign integrates numerous energy reduction strategies: »» Minimized laboratory ventilation rates to reduce fan energy and heating/cooling loads »» Reduction of cooling loads from equipment based on metering comparable labsActive chilled beams in lieu of lower temperature supply air and reheat »» Active chilled beams in lieu of lower temperature supply air and avoiding reheat »» Oversized air handling units and ductwork to minimize velocity and pressure differentials »» Optimized daylighting and control strategies to minimize electric lighting loads »» Night fl sh ventilation in offic areas to pre-cool concrete mass and minimize mechanical cooling

Optimizing Daylight Natural light in a work environment produces demonstrable benefits in productivity, comfort, and energy savings. The Research Building’s exterior wall design optimizes daylighting and provides careful attention to solar shading and glare control, especially in laboratories where visual acuity is critical. Initial studies examined fl or-to-ceiling glazing; however, empirical analysis determined that this approach yielded too much light and that the upper third of the window area provided the greatest benefit o daylight penetration. The design solution incorporates continuous clerestory glazing above 9 feet and discontinuous view windows below. A motorized shade system prevents direct sun infiltration and its associated heat gain and glare.

Continuing a10-year partnership with the Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory (ESBL), the design team added industry partner Lutron to develop a shade control system using roof-mounted photosensors to read actual sky conditions and a controls logic to govern when the shades would operate. The team combined this technology with a motorized shade system deployed from the sill upwards to maintain maximum daylight while controlling undesired infiltration. A similar system was developed by SRG , ESBL and Lutron for the College of Business at the University of Oregon. The team tested this combined technology with both small-scale and fullsize prototypes and successfully implemented the system in the completed project. The daylighting system is integrated with the artificial li hting, thereby ensuring a uniform level of ambient light regardless of time of day or changing exterior conditions.

Minimizing cooling loads Mechanically cooling space is expensive, especially in the Riverside area with its extreme high temperatures, poor air quality and Santa Ana winds that create unseasonably warm conditions. Analysis of climatic data, external and internal thermal loads, and projected occupancy periods indicated that most or all of the mechanical cooling could be eliminated in the office ar as with a cooling set point temperature of 78°F in combination with mass cooling and ceiling fans. This temperature criteria is within the human comfort zone as substantiated by previous projects and research data from the Center for Building Environments (CBE) at the University of California-Berkeley. For the offic areas, the design team proposed a night fl sh ventilation system in which cooler nighttime air is conveyed through the spaces at high ventilation rates to pre-cool the concrete mass. In typical applications, night air is pulled through perimeter louvers or operable windows by an exhaust fan or natural chimney effect. Confronted with the extremely poor air quality in the area, the team developed a “reverse fl w” system that utilizes one of the rooftop supply fans to fil er the air at a single location and “leak” it out at each fl or through perimeter wall louvers. Ceiling fans and small passive chilled beams are included to accommodate personal comfort levels and address excessive peak loads if necessary. In temperate conditions, these louvers allow users to naturally ventilate their spaces if they wish.

Measuring actual performance The building is designed with an extensive performance monitoring system. This is a fundamental component in understanding how the facility actually performs and ensuring that projected energy savings are realized. The design team developed a system that disaggregated energy use by system and by functional program areas. The system isolates four representative areas and includes slab temperature sensors embedded in the concrete, BTU meters on the chilled beams in the laboratories and records electricity use for each applicable system.

The feedback from this system will be used to validate energy usage, identify where anomalies occur, and determine where retro-commissioning or controls adjustments are necessary. In addition, this data will provide benchmarks for future projects. A comprehensive Owners Manual explains the sustainable design features and provides reference regarding key operating components available for occupant control.

Site, Building & People

The Research Environment

Technology & Innovation

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SUSPENDED CEILINGS AND ACTIVE CHILLED BEAMS AT INSTRUMENT ROOMS

ACTIVE CHILLED BEAMS AND EXPOSED UTILITY DISTRIBUTION AT OPEN LABS

PASSIVE CHILLED BEAMS AND HVAC SUPPLY AND RETURN GRILLES AT OPEN OFFICES

CHILLED BEAM TECHNOLOGY

Plans & Elevations

BUILDING SUPPORT

EAST Elevation

West Elevation

NORTH Elevation

SOUTH Elevation

DATA + PROJECT TEAM School of Medicine Research Building Project Owner: University of California, Riverside Location: Riverside, California Date of Completion: November 1st, 2011 Total Gross Area: 60,000 sf Total Construction Cost: $29,016,396 Cost ft: $483 / sf

Client Contact: Don Caskey, Associate Vice Chancelor, Campus Architect 1223 University Ave, Suite 240 Riverside, CA 92522 p: 951.827.1034 e: don.caskey@ucr.edu

CURRENT AWARDS » 2012 R&D Magazine Lab of the Year - Special Mention, Sustainability » 2012 New Construction Higher Education- Project of the Year » 2011 AIA Merit Award, Portland Chapter » 2011 California Higher Education Energy Efficiency and S stainability Best Practice Awards » 2011 Savings by Design Energy Efficiency In egration Awards, Citation Award

Architect + Interiors:

Landscape Architect:

Contractor:

SRG PARTNERSHIP, INC

WALKER MACY

BARNHART BALFOUR BEATTY

Laboratory Planner:

Cost Estimating:

Commisioning Agent:

RESEARCH FACILITIES DESIGN

DAVIS LANGDON

KITCHELL CEM

MEP Engineer:

Acoustical Consultant:

Lab Casework:

AFFILIATED ENGINEERS, INC

LISTEN ACOUSTICS

ISEC

Structural Engineer:

Wind Study:

Lab Fume Hoods:

SAIFUL BOUQUET INC

CPP WIND

ISEC

Civil Engineer:

Research Partner:

Photography:

TRANSTECH

ENERGY STUDIES IN BUILDINGS LABORATORY (ESBL)

LARA SWIMMER PHOTOGRAPHY

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