The Biodesign Institute, Tempe, AZ 

Background

At a cost of nearly $150,000,000, the 350,000 square foot, award-winning Biodesign Institute at ASU represents the State of Arizona’s largest research infrastructure investment in bioscience-related research. ASU is the first university in the U.S. to create an interdisciplinary research Institute entirely devoted to bio-inspired innovation principles, representing a vast expansion of ASUs state-of-the-art research capacity, while serving the core mission of finding solutions to some of society’s largest challenges.

The Situation

Arizona State University needed a scientific research space where experts from a variety of scientific disciplines would be able to collaborate seamlessly on attainable solutions to global challenges. With a hands-on approach, the design team consisting of Lord, Aeck & Sargent in collaboration with Gould Evans Associates and university researchers, they sought to understand the unique ways in which researchers work. The goal was to create a ground-breaking facility which meets the needs of researchers while also achieving the ambitious goals of the University for this Institute. Through cooperation with Phoenix Controls, the team created a simple, elegant, flexible, and functional floor plan allowing for transdisciplinary collaboration and future expansion.

The Solution

The 174,000 square foot Building B is made up of high-tech laboratories with benches including BSL-2 and BSL-3 containment and animal research areas. The design of the facility allows the nearly 600 employees, faculty, and students to benefit from the enormous amounts of daylight helping to promote a sense of well-being throughout the day. Understanding that no one can accurately predict what the design needs of the facility will be in the future, flexibility was built into every aspect of the design, ensuring the facility’s ability to adapt easily to changes. For example, the central location of the utilities along the west side, enables the labs to be retrofit at any time. Aside from the flexibility and aesthetic appeal of the facility, sustainability was a main factor in the design.

It is commonly known that proper ventilation design is a critical part of ensuring research facilities in balancing the needs of controlling airborne pathogens, implementing energy conservation measures, and reducing HVAC maintenance. Due to the strict demands for containment in this facility, terminal boxes were not an option. Fortunately, precision airflow control devices, such as Phoenix Controls venturi valves, do possess the accuracy and turndown capabilities that can enable energy savings and provide the precision airflow control required in high consequence spaces. Phoenix Controls devices can achieve up to a 20:1 turndown with ± 5% error of commanded flow. This helps to ensure a reduction in energy usage while not compromising the need to contain airborne pathogens. The Biodesign facility used Celeris II control platform and high speed tracking pairs to meet energy, safety, and containment needs.

A year after the original construction began, an energy audit was conducted which recognized further energy savings potential. Phoenix Controls had numerous product offerings to help the facility realize these benefits. Zone Pressure Sensors (ZPS) also known as usage-based controls (UBC) were installed on the fume hoods. In addition to the ZPS, Phoenix Controls’ Fume Hood Monitors (FHM) and Fan Static Reset Kits (FSR) helps to further contribute to energy savings by giving the ability to reduce face velocity to a lower setting when an operator is not present at the fume hood. Research by ASHRAE and numerous independent firms have shown that when there is no person working in front of the fume hood, it is safe to reduce the face velocity from the industry norm of 100 ft/min to a lesser value as low as 60 ft/min. This can provide up to a 40% energy savings when sashes are left open and the fume hood is not occupied.

The Result

Biodesign was the first facility in Arizona to earn the platinum-level LEED certification from the US green Building Council for environmentally friendly design. In addition, the Institute earned a variety of awards including the 2006 Lab of the Year award by R&D Magazine and eleven AIA, AGCA and local awards. The project exceeded LEED criteria for use of recycled materials and sustainability. Assisting in achieving LEED points was Phoenix Control’s solutions in regard to precision airflow control. The lessons learned from Building B will undoubtedly be taken into consideration as Building C begins construction in the near future.

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