Venter Institute

Designing a Net Zero Energy Laboratory: J. Craig Venter Institute

This video series, takes an in-depth look at the planning, design, engineering, and construction of the J. Craig Venter Institute, the first net zero energy laboratory in the United States, located in La Jolla, California, a community of San Diego.

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About

Hear from leading experts Ted Hyman and Doss Mabe of ZGF Architects, Peter Rumsey of Point Energy Innovations, John McDonald of Integral Group, and Robert Friedman of the J. Craig Venter Institute as they highlight key LEED and sustainability features of the J. Craig Venter Institute, and share insights and lessons learned in the planning, design, and engineering of the first net zero energy laboratory in the United States, and LEED 2009 Platinum building.

Discover insider information as this group of experts discusses the ins and outs of a facility of this caliber, and be inspired to make your next building net zero energy.

Watch an introductory video here.

A copy of the Project Booklet is available here.

Objectives

  1. Describe the primary motivators for building a net zero energy laboratory
  2. Discuss how energy, water, and overall building performance needs influenced the building design
  3. Identify green building strategies used to achieve maximum performance
  4. Evaluate viability of innovations used in this facility for potential use in your own future projects
  5. Highlight the benefits of the integrative design process when designing, planning, and engineering for the J. Craig Venter Institute

 

Included Sessions

Session 1: Designing a Net Zero Energy Laboratory: J. Craig Venter Institute Concepts and Strategies in Planning, Design, Engineering and Construction

About

This session delves into the planning, design, engineering and construction of the J. Craig Venter Institute, the first net zero energy laboratory in the United States and LEED 2009 Platinum building. This session provides insider information, and an inspiring example to others interested in building a net zero energy laboratory. In this session, you will hear from Ted Hyman and Doss Mabe of ZGF Architects, professional engineer Peter Rumsey, John McDonald of Integral Group, and Robert Friedman of the J. Craig Venter Institute as they discuss strategies and concepts, LEED category alignment and the challenges and solutions for creating the first net zero energy laboratory.

Objectives

  1. Describe the primary motivators for building a net zero energy laboratory
  2. Discuss how energy, water, and overall building performance needs influenced the building design
  3. Identify green building strategies used to achieve maximum performance
  4. Evaluate viability of innovations used in this facility for potential use in your own future projects
  5. Identify key strategies used to increase performance of mechanical systems

Module 1: Introduction, Project Intent, and Design

One of the goals for building the J. Craig Venter Institute as a net zero energy laboratory was to set an example and inspire others to adopt similar practices in their facilities. This module emphasizes the project’s intent and how this intent shaped the overall design and functionality of the space.

J. Craig Venter Institute Introduction

Project Intent

Design

Module 2: Location & Transportation/Sustainable Sites

This module looks at both credit categories and discusses the location of the Institute in close proximity to University of California San Diego, Scripps Research Institute, Salk Institute, and La Jolla’s vibrant biotech and research community. We also look at the building’s inclusion of a naturally ventilated underground parking garage reduces the building footprint and reduces heat island effect, and provides facilities to promote alternative transportation with showers, bike racks, and even surf racks to promote fitness. This module also discusses how the architectural design maximizes a small site footprint, the rainwater collection and storage system, and strategies taken to protect the ecological preserve and nearby ocean adjacent to site.

Location Transportation & Sustainable Sites

Module 3: Water Efficiency

This module highlights the various solutions used in this facility to ensure water efficiency prerequisites were met while focusing on how to achieve a 2/3 water reduction over a typical laboratory. Solutions discussed include low water landscaping, low flow fixtures, grey water toilet systems, waterless urinals, cooling towers operating at night, condensate collection from cooling towers and solar array, and rainwater collection. Additionally, this module discusses how the Venter Institute has prepared itself to incorporate purple pipe, grey water, and blackwater systems when municipality and regulatory changes are implemented.

Water Efficiency & Diagram Explanations

Water Efficiency: Potential greywater and blackwater systems

Module 4: Energy & Atmosphere

This module provides an insight and useful guide for maximizing energy efficiency and energy reduction. It discusses systems measuring, lighting, HVAC, the use of chilled beams, a co-located innovative freezer farm, the use of renewable energy (solar), and plug load management.

Energy and Atmosphere: Energy Approach

Energy and Atmosphere: Measurement, Plug Loads and Freezers

Energy and Atmosphere: Energy Pie Chart Explanation

Energy and Atmosphere: HVAC Cooling & Heating Diagram Explanation

Module 5: Materials & Resources

This module highlights the materials and resources evaluation criteria and the selection process used in this project. Materials discussed include the wood selection, stainless steel, and concrete.

Materials & Resources

Module 6: Indoor Environmental Quality

This module highlights the solutions used in the Venter Institute to maximize indoor environmental quality, air quality, and user comfort. It also discusses the design of the space to foster collaboration among employees and guests. Topics covered include the collaborative design features, integration of outdoor workspaces and gathering places leveraging San Diego’s climate, the use of daylighting, scenic views of the ecological preserve and Pacific ocean, advanced air flow change strategies, operable windows associated with green light notification, ergonomic sit/stand work stations, open low wall work stations, modular and movable furniture, automated lighting and shade control.

Indoor Environmental Quality: Workspace and Modularity

Indoor Environmental Quality: Daylighting

Indoor Environmental Quality: Chilled Beams & Laboratory Air Flow

Indoor Environmental Quality: Office Ventilation and Occupant Participation

Module 7: Lessons, Insights, & Conclusion

Discover how some of the most innovative thinkers, designers, and engineers tackled new challenges and developed unique solutions to create the first net zero energy laboratory in the U.S. The team shares their insights and wisdom with others interested in implementing similar strategies as those found in the J. Craig Venter Institute.

Lessons, Insights and Conclusion: Challenges and Lessons Learned

Lessons, Insights and Conclusion: Insights and Conclusion


Session 2: Designing a Net Zero Energy Laboratory: J. Craig Venter Institute Integrative Design Process – A Conversation

About

Join Doss Mabe and Ted Hyman of ZGF Architects for a candid conversation about the integrative design process. Learn how a “what if” strategy was implemented and learn more about the planning, design, and development of the first net zero energy laboratory in the United States.

A copy of the Project Booklet is available here.

Objectives

  1. Highlight the benefits of the integrative design process when designing, planning, and engineering the J. Craig Venter Institute
  2. Discuss why the integrative design approach was so important when designing a building of this caliber
  3. Identify strategies used to encourage occupant participation
  4. Recognize how an integrative design approach enabled the team to work more efficiently and collaboratively.

Session 3: Designing a Net Zero Energy Laboratory: J. Craig Venter Institute Mechanical Systems Tour

About

Join John McDonald of Integral Group and Ravi Bajaj, Education Manager at San Diego Green Building Council, on this tour of the mechanical rooms. In this tour, John focuses on the Venter Institute’s mechanical energy systems and explains the ins and outs of implementation and structure of these systems.

 

Objectives

  1. Identify key strategies used to increase performance of mechanical systems
  2. Identify the benefits of the mechanical area locations
  3. Recognize the connection of the thermal storage tanks and other mechanical systems
  4. Identify the green building strategies in the garage

Part 1

Part 2