Dedicated to advancing sustainable laboratories globally.
G1 Decarbonization | Benchmarking for Better Performance
Thinking Fast: Data-Informed Early Design
Early design decisions shape laboratory performance, occupant experience, and environmental impact. Thoughtful choices at this stage pave the way for the use of cost-effective, high-efficiency systems and whole-life carbon reduction strategies; however, with project timelines becoming increasingly compressed, design teams and owners often struggle to find time for rigorous analysis. As a result, teams may default to past design solutions—functional but not always aligned with evolving sustainability goals. Given that many laboratories have unique design needs, having the experience to make quick, well-informed sustainable design decisions can be a challenge. This presentation explores strategies for overcoming time constraints and experience gaps in early lab design. Through real-world project examples, it will demonstrate how data tracking enables designers to leverage benchmark data from past projects and collective industry knowledge for faster, more informed decision-making. Presenters will highlight the role of benchmarking tools—such as I2SL's Laboratory Benchmarking Tool—in validating critical design choices and ensuring alignment with performance goals. Ultimately, the session will show how better project data tracking empowers design teams to implement strategies that drive high performance, enhance occupant experience, and minimize environmental impact.
Benchmarking Energy Performance: Comparative Analysis of a Laboratory Project With Operated Buildings
​Establishing an energy goal for the 179,000 SF Translational Research Building (TRB) at the University of North Carolina (UNC)-Chapel Hill was challenging. TRB’s program includes a large vivarium, energy-intensive imaging facilities, a cyclotron, two lab floors, and a BSL-3 lab floor, and I2SL’s Laboratory Benchmarking Tool did not contain enough comparable buildings to set a meaningful target for this facility. Additionally, TRB’s reliance on campus-supplied chilled water and low-pressure steam complicated EUI calculations. As one of the highest ranked research institutions in the country, for this facility the best benchmarks are literally next door. In collaboration with UNC’s facilities team, three biomedical research buildings were studied: Mary Ellen Jones (205,000 SF, renovated 2015), Genetic Medicine (310,000 SF, built in 2008), and Marsico (315,000 SF, built 2014). Three years of utility data—electricity, chilled water, steam, and potable water—were collected along with space planning data to document area use. By factoring in the energy required to produce campus utilities, the team generated EUI values for existing buildings. Given TRB’s high process loads, the team set a minimum target of 5 percent better than existing buildings, with a stretch goal of 10 percent. This study provides a framework to benchmark complex lab facilities for clients with multiple existing buildings, guiding designers and sustainability professionals in improving energy performance.
Unveiling the New, Improved Labs2Zero Energy Score for Buildings
Since the release of the pilot Labs2Zero Energy Score in 2023, more than 500 lab buildings have received their Energy Scores via I2SL’s Laboratory Benchmarking Tool (LBT). This influx of building data has greatly enriched and updated the LBT’s dataset, and this has allowed I2SL and LBNL to perform a reanalysis to improve the scoring system underpinning the Energy Score calculations. The new scoring formulation is now ready for release.
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This presentation will review the latest demographics of the LBT’s database, and will outline some areas where the new data has helped to close gaps that were present when the pilot Energy Score was formulated. Attendees will learn about the new, updated scoring formulation, which now includes improved coverage of buildings with significant vivarium space, high fume hood density, and cold climates. Speakers will explain which buildings will experience the biggest changes in their Energy Scores due to these updates, and will highlight the building types for which additional data collection is still needed. The presentation will include details of the rollout plan for the new Energy Score, and for the new version of the Operational Emissions Score, which uses the same methodology and will be updated at the same time.
G2 Sustainable Science | Smart Labs
Unlocking Laboratory Efficiency: A Guided Tour of the Smart Labs Toolkit
Imagine having a step-by-step guide to optimizing laboratory efficiency, safety, and sustainability at your fingertips. The Smart Labs Toolkit is an interactive online resource that helps lab owners and operators implement and sustain high-performance labs cost-effectively. It follows the Smart Labs program framework, breaking the process into distinct phases with targeted tasks, best practices, and resources that drive measurable improvements in lab performance.Despite having this powerful resource, many organizations still ask, "Where do we start?" This session will provide a deep dive into the Smart Labs Toolkit, breaking it down into key tools and strategies for launching a successful laboratory sustainability initiative. Through this interactive "Toolkit Tour," attendees will gain practical insights into critical elements of an efficient and safe lab, learn how to navigate the toolkit, and leave with actionable steps to advance their Smart Labs journey. Whether you're new to Smart Labs or looking to enhance an existing program, this session will equip you with the knowledge and resources to transform lab operations for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future.
​Speed Bumps to Decarbonization: University of Virginia School of Medicine Smart Labs
The greatest energy-user in a lab is the building itself. At the University of Virginia (UVA), the Smart Labs program strives to improve safety and energy efficiency in critical research spaces by individually and comprehensively assessing each lab, consulting its researchers, physical plant partners, UVA Health and Safety experts, and energy engineers to identify infrastructure improvements. This presentation will share lessons from UVA School of Medicine's recent Smart Labs efforts on two of its medical research buildings and how we are applying those lessons to a third medical research building.
​Change Culture, Save Energy: First Smart Labs Utility Incentive Program Lessons
Achieving savings in labs is challenging yet worthwhile for both efficiency and safety improvements. The Smart Labs Incentive Program, implemented by kW Engineering and 3Flow in PG&E's Northern California territory, is the first utility program of its kind. Mirroring the Smart Labs process, the program focuses on setting ventilation rates based on each lab space's actual needs, rather than from conservative rules of thumb. Lessons have been learned around challenges to inherent laboratory culture and norms, as well as conflicts with traditional utility program structure and rules. Laboratory culture rightfully prioritizes safety over energy efficiency. This necessitates a measured, careful approach that engages all stakeholders throughout the process. Change management proves crucial. The traditional role of EH&S in verifying ventilation rates evolves to multi-disciplinary teams that respond to operational changes while maintaining optimal ventilation system performance. Several conflicts emerged with rigid utility program requirements around effective measure life, incentive payment structure, and traditional program lifespans. Despite the challenges, the program is progressing toward meeting overall savings goals as projects conclude in 2025. Each successful implementation builds confidence in customer and sector potential. However, reframing customer perspectives and program structures remains essential for such efforts to become more sustainable and widespread.
G3 Sustainable Design | Adaptive Reuse
Busting the Myth of Adaptive Reuse for Laboratories
Adaptive reuse, the practice of repurposing existing buildings for new uses, is frequently presented as a sustainable solution for reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. However, adaptive reuse poses unique challenges when the new use is intended to support life science and advanced technology companies that require specialized laboratory space. With the complexity of retrofits required for laboratories, is adaptive reuse truly more sustainable than new construction? Among the critical design factors to consider for existing facilities to be retrofitted for laboratory use, structural criteria, integration of upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, and dimensional constraints are frequent highlights. Through the use of case studies, this presentation will debunk myths and misconceptions surrounding these topics and propose a sensible approach to setting design criteria, taking into account the nuances of asset class, market demand and type of research intended for the facility, while maximizing the environmental benefits of retrofitting an existing structure.
Adaptive Reuse of an Army Headquarters Into a State-of-the-Art Federal Laboratory
FDA Atlanta was inspired by the promise of collaboration and discovery. The simplicity of the existing building at Fort McPherson was what prompted the developer, Easterly Government Properties, to purchase the property. It had a long history, originally being the command post for the Gulf War. Having three levels plus a basement, gave it opportunities that other buildings might not have. Its design utilizes the center level as a full height interstitial space with the ability to serve the upper and lower levels mechanically within the existing floor heights. The simplicity of the building lent itself to a new opportunity for the government to test and analyze food and drugs in a building originally designed primarily for the defense of the country. Utilizing an existing building for a retrofit heavily outweighed a new greenfield site. Most of the structural elements, precast concrete, and exterior skin and glazing were reused. The precast concrete and glazing were able to be cleaned, and a film applied to the glazing to help with thermal response. The embodied carbon already existing in the building itself helped offset any new carbon that would have been produced as the result of new construction. The transformation of an existing building into spaces will help future generations with safety and security by knowing that the food and drugs they consume have been testing and analyzed in an environment that is sustainable and designed as a state-of-the art facility.
A Modern Solution in a Historic Space: Designing for Safety, Innovation, and Sustainability
Numat's new headquarters represents a remarkable adaptive reuse of two historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places to create a modern facility for research and manufacturing. The lessons learned during this transformation showcase how innovation can thrive within the constraints of historic buildings and a strict budget, with a particular emphasis on safety, innovation, and sustainability. One of the key challenges faced was addressing the complex chemical storage and safety requirements within the constraints of the existing structures. Meeting these needs required creative, yet compliant solutions in accordance with local codes. This included developing chemical containment systems, incorporating explosion vents, and configuring hazardous material storage areas in ways that minimized disruption to the historical architecture while maximizing operational efficiency. A critical aspect of the design was ensuring the new facility embodied Numat's mission and values, creating an immersive "science on display" experience. This approach not only demonstrated the cutting-edge green technologies being researched and developed but also emphasized the company's vision of transforming science into scalable, real-world solutions.The collaboration between the design team, Numat, and the contractor resulted in a forward-thinking facility that integrates sustainable practices with the legacy of industrial innovation.
G4 System Optimization | The ABCs of BSCs
The ABC's of BSCs: Biological Safety Cabinet Selection and Differences
Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) are critical equipment in most bioscience, pharmaceutical and healthcare laboratory settings. However, knowing which type of BSC is most appropriate for mitigating the unique risks for your application can be overwhelming. Class II, Type A, B, and C BSCs are each unique. We will review the proper applications for each, the differences in their mechanical design and operation, the differences in their mechanical system integration needs, and compare their first and operating costs.
The ABCs of BSCs: Which Cabinet Do I Need?
Navigating the world of biological safety cabinets (BSCs) can be bewildering. Selecting the correct cabinet is critical to ensure users are protected and energy consumption is minimized. This session will discuss best practices to identify lab user needs and match them with the right cabinet to provide a functional, sustainable result. Case studies will be used to illustrate the BSC selection process and to offer guidance on common pitfalls and how to avoid field "surprises" or unsafe installations.
The ABCs of BSCs: Commissioning and Certification
Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) are critical equipment in most bioscience, pharmaceutical, and healthcare laboratory settings. Unfortunately, these cabinets are not set-and-forget. The HVAC systems serving them must be precisely balanced, then trained professionals must test the BSC and certify it meets rigorous protocols on a regular basis. This session will focus on these processes, from testing and balancing of the lab supply and exhaust systems to commissioning of the primary fans and equipment, certification of the BSCs, and common problems found throughout these activities.
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