UCSF's commitment to sustainability extends to minimizing the environmental impact of its laboratories, which consume significantly more energy per square foot than the average building due to the specialized equipment, such as laboratory fume hoods, minus eighty degrees freezers and other research equipment.

Despite the challenges of greening laboratories, though, UC has committed to build all new laboratories to be LEED-NC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design new construction) Silver or better and all renovation projects over $5 million to be LEED-CI (commercial interior) certified.

LEED is the nation's preeminent sustainable design rating system for design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

According to Energy Design Resources, it's no easy undertaking to design a high-performance laboratory building that uses very little energy while meeting comfort, health, safety and programmatic requirements. Laboratory buildings typically have very energy intensive heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that operate 24 hours per day and use 100 percent interior exhaust and intake of outside air.

In fact, they report that it is not uncommon for HVAC systems serving lab spaces to use from five to ten times more energy than HVAC systems serving office spaces.

Three New UCSF Green Laboratories

UCSF, never one to shy away from a challenge, has recently opened not one, but three new green laboratories:

• The renovation of the UCSF School of Dentistry Mesenchymal and Craniofacial Research Laboratory, on the 15th Floor of the Health Sciences East Research Tower (HSE-15) at the Parnassus campus recently received LEED-CI Gold certification. This project involved renovating an entire floor of the existing high-rise research tower. It is the first lab renovation on the UCSF campus to receive LEED Gold, proving that green laboratory retrofits are achievable without sacrificing schedule or budget.
• The elegant and green Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building is the new headquarters of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF. Nestled against the steep slopes of Mount Sutro on the Parnassus campus, the new building is aiming for LEED-NC Gold. The building is comprised of 68,500 square feet, over two football fields long, and designed with communal break rooms to promote collaboration among researchers. It was completed and occupied in November.
• UCSF's Cardiovascular Research Building (CVRB), designed by SmithGroup with Jim Jennings Architecture and constructed by Rudolph and Sletten, will allow 48 principal investigators to conduct bench-top research and translate findings directly into medical care in the same facility. The CVRB will improve the University's already distinguished program of cardiac research. CVRB is also aiming for LEED-NC Gold. It will be highlighted in a future piece.

These laboratory projects provided UCSF an opportunity to integrate cutting-edge energy and water efficient design and to implement sustainable operating practices, including:

• Integration of water efficient devices and energy efficiency strategies;
• Improved recycling programs during and post construction;
• Use of low-emitting materials, including carpets, paints and adhesives;
• Use of high-recycled content and recycled materials;
• Over 75 percent of the demolition materials were reused and diverted from the landfill; and
• Over 90 percent of spaces have daylight and views.

By using less energy and water, LEED certified labs save money, reduce greenhouse gas emission, and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

A Walk Through the New School of Dentistry Mesenchymal and Craniofacial Research Laboratory

The $4.985 million renovation of the UCSF School of Dentistry Mesenchymal and Craniofacial Research Laboratory actually was completed two months ahead of schedule becoming the third UCSF laboratory to receive LEED-CI Gold certification.

"The idea of getting LEED certification for a laboratory is a big deal. Doing it in an existing building is a really big deal," explained Bonnie Blake-Drucker, FAIA, principal architect with BlakeDrucker Architects and lead on the recent renovation.