Forged for sustainability: incubator lab’s MEP design

CRB was the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer for the greenfield Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA) incubator laboratory project located at the Kansas Bioscience Park. The project included the development and construction of a 39,000-square-foot laboratory/office space that was awarded LEED Gold certification. This is the cornerstone building at the site. It was established by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 for the sole purpose of advancing the state’s leadership in research, innovation and industry. The facility is KBA’s headquarters.

Unique to this facility is the innovative approach to energy conservation. The central HVAC utility system was designed around a modular lake-source heat pumping system supported with variable-speed water pumping systems. The domestic and industrial water systems are preheated using a solar water heating system. The lab ventilation system uses enthalpy heat recovery energy wheels and an exhaust monitoring control system. The facility was designed to optimize the daylighting control system. These innovative design elements make the KBA facility a truly green laboratory building that uses 35 percent less energy than a typical ASHRAE 90.1 designed system.

Sustainability Features:

20% reduction in water use from baseline
55% reduction in energy use from ASHRAE standard
50% of unused construction materials were recycled
20% of new materials from recycled sources
20% of new materials from regional sources
75% of wood used from Forest Stewardship Council certified sources
75% of spaces receive natural daylight

Awards/Certifications:

U.S. Green Building Council LEED Gold

2012 Lab of the Year, High Honors R&D Magazine